Greater enforcement will stop outdoor seating areas from taking over walkways in Glasgow city centre, council chiefs have promised, as a new street cafe policy is rolled out.
Councillors have agreed to cut some of the red tape faced by firms running outdoor areas as part of plans to create a ‘cafe culture’ in the city.
But some concerns were raised over the impact on pedestrians, particularly those with sight issues, as seating sections take over pavement space.
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Under the policy, venues need to allow two metres for walkers or wheelers to pass, however, Cllr Philip Braat, Labour, said in his ward [Anderston/City/Yorkhill], which covers the city centre, there are “some pavements that in total are nowhere near two metres”.
“Yet still some premises have had street furniture out with no space for pedestrian access past it, so how do we deal with situations like that where premises do not have the space to abide by this regulation but currently are trading outside?”
Cllr Angus Millar, the council’s city centre recovery convener, who also represents the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward, said: “This policy specifically refers to the city centre but that two metre requirement will be maintained because it’s important for people to get past, especially for equalities reasons.
“The enforcement of that will be maintained and there is a commitment to greater enforcement as part of this updated policy."
A council official added there must be a “two-metre unobstructed walkway” and “that would be assessed as part of the application process”.
“Once that’s accepted, it becomes an enforcement situation, he added, and an enforcement notice would be issued to anyone firm found to have breached the rule.
Cllr Millar said council staff had engaged with various groups, including people with sight loss, on the policy and said the two-metre rule is “key” to preventing a negative impact on people’s ability to navigate the city centre.
Cllr Blair Anderson, Greens, asked: “How strict do you foresee the enforcement being? I know in other parts of the city, people will complain about not having the necessary walkway space, officers will go out and businesses will rearrange the furniture.
“The officer leaves and the businesses put it back to where it was to begin with and the problem isn’t really solved.”
Cllr Millar reiterated there is a commitment to enforcement in the policy and said cafes would need to display signs showing the space they have been allowed to occupy. They will need to show the number of tables and chairs permitted.
Changes, approved at a city administration committee meeting today [Thursday], mean venues can open from 7am until 10pm. However, the rules are slightly different on main pedestrianised areas at Buchanan Street, Gordon Street, Royal Bank Place and Exchange Place, where operators can serve from 11am to 10pm.
The application process is also being altered to speed up bids, with firms no longer needing to get planning permissions themselves. Businesses had complained the process was “too complicated” and took “too long”.
Previously, venues needed to secure planning permission to change the use of the footway as well as roads consent to occupy the public road. The whole process could take at least 10 weeks. Now, the council will apply for planning consent in the city centre for temporary street cafes, meaning firms only need to secure a roads permit.
Applications out-with core streets in the city centre will still need to follow the existing planning process.
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