Outdoor dining to continue in Lichfield city centre
The al-fresco dining scheme brought in during the pandemic will continue until 2022
Restaurants and cafes in Lichfield are going to be allowed to keep serving customers outside for the next year after the council decided to extend an al-fresco dining scheme in the city centre.
Lichfield District Council suspended some disabled parking bays last July to allow shoppers and shops more space on the streets during the pandemic.
The extra space was used by some cafes and restaurants to set up outdoor dining spaces, although each business needed to apply for a licence.
It allowed many to keep trading throughout the pandemic, even at times when dining indoors wasn't allowed.
The council has now approved plans to keep the arrangement in place until 30 September 2022.
18 hospitality businesses will keep their pavement licences for another year, while 21 disabled parking bays on Market Street, Bore Street, Conduit Street and Tamworth Street will remain suspended.
Councillor Liz Little, of Lichfield District Council, said:
“With Covid still very much with us, it’s really important that we have space to maintain social distancing in the city centre.
“We also want to support our local businesses who are keen to keep their outside seating areas for another year.
“We hope blue badge holders will understand the decision and continue to make good use of the remaining blue badge bays that are available in the city centre and in Bird Street and Lombard Street car parks.”