Belfast Council is urging Stormont to close off a section of Fountain Street in the city centre.
The appeal comes amid a standoff between City Hall and the Executive over pavement cafes remaining on Fountain Street and Castle Street. The department is asking the council to revoke temporary pavement cafe licences by two Fountain Street businesses, Voodoo public house and venue, and City Picnic restaurant.
Voodoo has a pavement cafe on Fountain Street, while City Picnic has one on Castle Street. Stormont is asking the council to end this arrangement, and free both streets to two way traffic, while negotiating for new locations for pavement cafes.
