A waitress wearing a face covering serving diners at outside tables in Kensington, London.
(Picture: PA Wire)The temporary alfresco terraces that sprang up during the pandemic to allow diners to eat outdoors will return every summer across a swathe of west London under plans to foster a permanent café culture.
Kensington and Chelsea council says it plans to grant five-year licences to restaurants, bars and cafés that want to offer the option of outdoor eating and drinking from next March.
Temporary legislation made it easier for restaurants and bars to provide outdoor service while eating and drinking indoors was banned ends in September.
The Tory-run local authority said its new policy will come into force next March.
Hundreds of pop-up terraces were erected all over London during the two years of the pandemic.
Diners were only allowed to eat outside for several spells when infection rates were spiking because the Covid virus was thought to spread more quickly indoors.
In Sloane Square, the licences will be for 10 years in a bid to make it a major alfresco dining hub under proposals still subject to a public consultation.
Three roads closed to traffic during the pandemic, Pavilion Road, Elystan Road and Bute Street, will remain pedestrian only.
Under the new policy licensees will be able to operate outdoor dining terraces during the warm half of the year from March to October, but not in winter because of the need to provide environmentally damaging outdoor heating. They will have to be at least partially exposed to the elements and not be constructed as enclosed rooms.
The council said the move was supported by at least 70 per cent of respondents to consultations.
It granted outdoor dining licences at more than 550 locations during the two year of Covid restrictions.
Johnny Thalassites, of Kensington and Chelsea council, said: “Seeing our streets buzzing with people enjoying our world-class bars and restaurants has been a real positive during a difficult couple of years… It’s a no-brainer to keep outdoor licensing on the menu when it’s proved so popular.”
Hugh Seaborn, chief executive of Cadogan, the biggest landlord in Chelsea, said: “It is great to hear the positive feedback and we are working closely with the team at the Kensington and Chelsea council to ensure these lively public places continue to thrive.”
