Cafes, bars and restaurants affected by months of lockdown in Leicester are being offered free licences to put up temporary outdoor seating.
Leicester City Council is offering around 120 temporary licences – on top of 72 permanent licences which have already been renewed – to help venues reopen from April 12.
The council has also been given government support to cover the cost of the usual application fee.
Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to offer outdoor table service from Monday, for customers in groups of no more than six or no more than two families.
Assuming the easing of lockdown restrictions goes to plan, indoor seating will reopen from May 17, and by June 21 all restrictions will have been lifted with venues including nightclubs allowed to reopen.
Leicester City Council said the temporary licences will last until September 30, though the Government said it could extended them to September, next year.
Deputy city mayor Coun Piara Singh Clair, said: “I’m very pleased that we are able to offer businesses the chance to get a free licence to help them trade outdoors.
“National legislation means we can only offer temporary licences, but as these will last until at least September 2021, they should mean more businesses are able to take advantage of better weather in the spring and summer months.
“We’re also contacting businesses with an existing licence, if they haven’t renewed already, to offer them the chance to extend their licences for free.
“It’s important that any business that wants to have seating on the pavement has a licence to do so – but we want to make the process of getting one as easy and hassle-free as possible.”
Businesses have also benefitted from café seating grants awarded by the city council, to help them buy outdoor furniture. The scheme reopens next month, so more businesses can apply.
Details are on the city council website.
