Hospitality businesses in Newport will be allowed more space for outdoor seating under new council proposals. Newport City Council has approved plans which will allow cafes, pubs and restaurants to expand their outdoor seating areas at peak times and later into the night.
Council documents say the proposal will allow businesses serving food and drink to apply to extend their premises out to "pavement cafes" and outdoor seating including tables, chairs, umbrellas, barriers and heaters. Businesses will also be allowed to have outdoor spaces open until 4am and play live and recorded music, subject to noise regulations.
Outdoor dining was previously limited to a small collection of bars and restaurants around the city, but the pandemic led the council to allow businesses to install outdoor areas, umbrellas and awnings on the streets in a bid to help their economic recovery. The council later said it was considering making outdoor seating areas such as those on High Streets permanent after traders said it had increased footfall.
