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NINE businesses from the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area are deemed as being suitable for special ‘Pavement Cafe’ licences to help increase trade hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
A meeting of the council’s Environmental Services committee last week was told that there are approximately five premises in local villages which would also comply.
There has been increased focus on the potential for a European-style ‘cafe culture’ locally.
Last month the Department for Infrastructure encouraged local councils to take a ‘flexible and pragmatic approach’ to the use of on-street seating for cafes and bars, beer gardens and similar outdoor areas in order to accommodate physical and social distancing and to encourage business.
Both Sallys of Omagh and the owners of the Blind Cobbler have offered their support in principal to the proposal.
Omagh Town Centre Forum has also discussed the issue.
But the council has stressed that, while the provision of street cafes is encouraged, it is important that they are administered and management to ensure they meet the high standards expected in towns.
As a result, they should not obstruct the footway, or create a hazard for pedestrians, especially the blind, partially-sighted and people with other disabilities or cause noise disturbance.
Ulster Unionist councillor, Chris Smyth, called for fees of up £300 for the acquirement of a Pavement Licence to be set aside during the pandemic.
Sinn Féin councillor, Barry McElduff, said the council needs to be “flexible and generous” in offering space for outside cafes.
Independent councillor, Josephine Deehan, called for the public spaces to be made “as attractive as possible.”
She supported the call for the use of public spaces to be used to enhance the night-time economy during the summer months to encourage people into the town centre.