Concerns over social distancing in Stone after new pavement licence scheme approved
Pubs and cafes planning to serve customers outside this summer have been given a quicker way of securing a pavement licence by Stafford Borough Council.
New legislation has just come into force to speed up the process and allow hospitality businesses to use more outdoor space and improve social distancing.
On Tuesday, the council approved its own fast-track scheme, which will cost £100 per application for venues looking to open new outside seating areas.
But while councillors backed the proposals, there were questions about how safe distances would be maintained in narrower streets with a number of venues located close together.
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Councillor Jill Hood said: “I think it is a good scheme but I do have some concerns. In Stone High Street we almost have a pinch point or bottleneck because we have got a hotel, a pub, a brasserie and a bar which are close together.
“If they are taking advantage of the pavement licences then we are going to have to have very clearly marked out areas. While we’re not going to have them spreading into each other, people having a few drinks and enjoying themselves walk around the High Street.
Visually impaired
“After 4pm the High Street turns into a racing circuit of people coming down in cars and on bikes, trying to beat the one-way system and thinking they can get down the High Street more quickly and onto the ring road. It’s quite frightening – we have to have serious talks about the traffic in the High Street.”
Councillor Mark Green highlighted the issues faced by visually impaired people trying to navigate their way down the High Street if extra furniture was placed outside.
He said: “I understand it – I’m a big believer in trying to get the High Street going. But I do think the officers could consider it so people don’t have to go into the road.
“If blind people are walking down the pavement and there are tables they have got to go into the road – and there are cars coming down at certain times.”
Councillor Jonathan Price, cabinet member for environment, said there would be measures in place to assist visually-impaired visitors.
He added: “We will be using top rail support for blind people and allowing enough room for them.
“The hospitality industry has been hit very hard in the last few months and as we emerge from lockdown, the use of pavements for cafes, bars and restaurants has assumed a new importance given the evidence of a lower risk of spreading coronavirus outdoors.
“We hope this new legislation will provide the opportunity to some of those businesses to utilise space outside to attract more customers – especially given the constraints still in place to prevent the spread of the virus.”
