Cafe curfew (From York Press)

Cafe curfew

10:46am Friday 23rd March 2007 in

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IT has brought a taste of the continent to the centre of our city.

But council chiefs are set to call time on the York's burgeoning café culture - because they say outdoor tables are taking up too much room.

Bar and café owners across the city have slammed new proposals that would prevent them operating outside before 10am or after 8pm, and would restrict them in size.

York currently has 18 outdoor cafés, but a policy to go before councillors next week would force 11 of them to change their licences - just weeks after a poll in The Press found 73 per cent of readers thought the city should make MORE use of pavement cafés.

Council officers are concerned they are encroaching on public roads, and taking up space that pedestrians could be using. They are recommending new guidelines.

That means owners who have paid hundreds of pounds in licensing or planning fees may now lose their right to late opening.

Andy Knights, owner of Dusk in New Street, said: "I would have a nightmare if they shut it at night. I have nowhere to put outdoor furniture inside, so I would have to consider losing my outside entirely."

He added: "A ban on new applications is one thing, but to take away something which is already there is so unfair."

Peter Black, on behalf of Blue Fly, also in New Street, said: "I think it's time we had one licence, and not have to get three then find we cannot get the fourth You are paying great expense to get a no entry sign from the highways department."

Erin Haffey, manager of The Roman Bath in St Sampson's Square, said: "I would prefer an earlier start than 10am. At 10am, that's your breakfast trade gone."

He added: "Especially in summer, when it's a nice day, you want to be out earlier."

Nick Brown, of Brown's department store, which operates a café in St Sampson's Square, said: "We like to be out at 9am if it's a glorious sunny day."

He added: "It's not going to be a disaster, but it's bureaucracy that's not needed." The proposals may also be an attempt to prevent outdoor areas turning into smoking zones for bars and clubs.

A report by council officers cited a recent application by McMillans in Rougier Street, and wrote: "They could offer their customers smoking facilities which would otherwise be prohibited, as all of their business activities take place indoors."

The report will be considered by the council's city strategy advisory panel on Monday.

Coun Ann Reid, executive member for city strategy, said she expected the officers' recommendations to be backed.

She said: "We cannot let things drift, which is what has basically happened up till now. I certainly think we will be adopting some conditions.

"The vast majority of things are quite reasonable."

Proposed conditions on pavement cafés include

• At least 1.8 metres of the street's width must remain free
• They shall not operate before 10am or after 8pm
• There cannot be a continuous section of 50 metres of street café in a street
• No more than a third of any paved area or square can be taken up by the café
• The area must be vacated immediately if requested by the council, police or other emergency service, without any liability for compensation
• All furniture will be removed at the end of the trading day
• There must be suitable furniture storage.

What do people in York think of street cafés?

Nadine Stotten, 25, of Acomb, said: "Street cafés are nice when the weather is nice. I guess if they're limited it's better for the business of those still there."

Trevor Newbert, 62, of Malton, said: "They are very good in the majority of places. They don't look untidy. Provid-ing they don't obs-truct, they're fine."

Anna Ives, 46, of York, said: "It's lovely when it's warm enough. They add to the atmosphere and they're good for tourists."

Gemma Kime, 18, of Skegness, said: "The street cafés are all right. They are good resting and meeting places."