A render of the proposed changes to Warwick Way, Pimlico
(Picture: Westminster City Council)An outdoor dining scheme temporarily put in place in Pimlico for restaurants, cafes and bars during the Covid pandemic could be made permanent.
The alfresco dining scheme on Warwick Way and Churton Street was implemented in July 2020, in the height of pandemic, to help support local hospitality in Pimlico.
The scheme proved popular and gained strong support from the local community and residents, who worked with Westminster City Council to develop a permanent high street scheme that would “rejuvenate” the area and boost the local economy.
The proposed permanent scheme would provide more opportunity for alfresco dining, reduce traffic and extend footways, have more trees planted at Warwick Way, improve the level of service for cyclists, improve lighting and “create an enhanced business environment”.
The scheme, if made permanent, would formalise the current temporary measures which have turned the two-way streets into one-way, allowing widening of pavements on both sides.
The proposed permanent scheme is open for consultation that will run for eight weeks from December 18 to February 9.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality, at Westminster City Council said:“We’ve listened to what residents and businesses have said following the success of the temporary alfresco scheme at Warwick Way which was implemented during the pandemic, and now we want to know what people think about our permanent plans for the area.”
An initial consultation held between April and September 2021 found significant support for developing a town centre for Pimlico that included a permanent alfresco scheme.
More than 80 per cent of residents and local businesses were in favour of the proposals. This gave the council a mandate for a permanent scheme which is now being consulted on.
The temporary alfresco arrangements were agreed to remain in place until the permanent scheme is to be implemented, and will continue to remain in place until the consultation ends.
It is anticipated that construction of the scheme could commence in Autumn 2023, following the results of the consultation.
