Councils urged to be flexible when pubs and cafes return
Northern Ireland councils have been told not to “unnecessarily” restrict pubs, restaurants and cafés by strictly enforcing planning permission rules around outdoor seating.
The hospitality industry is not yet allowed to re-open under the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, but Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has taken the step of writing to all 11 councils to request a “flexible and pragmatic approach” to outdoor seating that might be required for social distancing when they do open.
“For many customers, safety will be a big consideration and businesses are having to change the way they serve their customers in our new normal,” she said.
“I want to ensure we support councils and assure traders and businesses that there are no planning barriers to temporary changes.”
She added: “This change will hopefully provide some support for the hospitality industry.”