A popular LGBTQ+ bar in the city centre has been left "devastated" after a bike rack was installed in loading bays outside their front door where they previously had an outdoor seating area.
Street 66 were preparing for an extremely busy period during the Dublin Pride festival when they were told last Friday their application for an outdoor furniture license had been refused. This was despite it being accepted by Dublin City Council late last year.
The LGBTQ+ bar had previously had the outdoor seating area during the pandemic and last summer. Manager Siobhan Commy told Dublin Live she has not yet received an explanation as to why the application was refused.
She said: "I was devastated by it and I planned on appealing it. That was a bit disheartening but on Monday morning, while I wasn't in Dublin, I was told that DCC had removed all the planters that had been outside since 2021 and are now installing a bike rack outside our premises."
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Dublin Pride, a festival which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, begins next week and Siobhan is worried about the safety of her customers during the busy period. She said: "This is an absolute disgrace. It is so embarrassing.
"It is dangerous and a trip hazard. We have very big deliveries over the next couple of weeks. There is no need for a bike rack on a loading bay where there is already 26 bike racks on the street."
Dublin Live has contacted DCC for comment.
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