Road space in Portsmouth is being allocated to some pubs, restaurants and cafes to boost business as lockdown eases

The city council has started suspending parking bays outside pubs, cafes and restaurants that requested it to provide space for tables and chairs and pedestrians.

Sections of the street are then marked off with barriers and ramps are used between the pavement and road.

Councillor Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council's economic development boss, said: ‘With government regulations on social distancing significantly limiting their capacities, many of these businesses will struggle to make ends meet using only their current licensed areas.

‘We hope we can help by offering outside space, where it is safe and practical to do so. We will regularly review any temporary measures that we agree to put in place and welcome feedback on what is or isn't working from both businesses and residents.

‘We will consider if different measures need to be introduced, as we monitor the impact of venues reopening. All businesses will still be responsible for safely managing all of the space that they are using in line with licensing regulations.’

City businesses wanting to get involved will still need to apply for a tables and chairs licence if they don’t already have one. Normal charges will be waived and a small admin fee will apply.

It is thought government will soon amend existing laws to enable space outside licensed premises to be used more flexibly and for applications to be processed more swiftly.

SEE ALSO: Here's how the government's eating out vouchers will work

Rachel Hudson, co-ordinator of Friends of the Earth Portsmouth - which has previously campaigned for more pedestrian friendly streets - welcomed the changes.

She said: ‘We are fully supportive of this. I've seen businesses already using the space for different things - some have tables and chairs on the pavement and others have them on the road. And others are using it as space for people to queue.

‘We are very keen to see streets used for things other than just cars. We are keen on the phrase “cars are guests” and we are also in favour of part-time road closures - where they are closed for an amount of time to make more space for cycling, walking and socialising but allocating time for deliveries.

‘One day we would like to see different uses of street space as more long term.’

In areas where there are high concentrations of bars and restaurants such as the southern part of Palmerston Road and Osborne Road, other changes such as reducing access for motor vehicles is also being considered by the council.

SEE ALSO: Interactive map shows local Portsmouth businesses which are now open

Portsmouth businesses in need of support can call a dedicated helpline on 023 9284 1641 or email [email protected].

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