Team work brings streateries success to Camden
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created new challenges for our local economy, and as lockdown measures continue to ease, the Council is committed to supporting its local businesses to reopen safely and successfully.
As part of this the council are working to provide new ways to support and boost local high streets and town centres whilst keeping them safe and secure for their communities.
“Our local businesses have faced significant impacts from the pandemic.
“As the lockdown continues to ease, we are focussed on supporting our hospitality businesses to resume trading so they can survive and thrive. The absolute last thing residents will want to see is empty high streets of closed-up cafes and restaurants.
“Creating streateries is one way we are supporting businesses to operate differently to ensure they are COVID secure.”
A streatery is a car free outdoor dining space for restaurants, cafes and other businesses to place tables and chairs. Providing more temporary space for these businesses helps customers to physically distance whilst eating and drinking out.
This will help boost the hospitality businesses by giving more space for customers to take advantage of the remainder of the summer weather, and potentially for longer.
At South End Green the council has widened pavements in the area to accommodate additional outdoor seating as well as relocating the bus stand for the 168 bus. On Charlotte Street and Drummond Street, the pavements have been widened to allow outdoor seating within these sections. A section of Charlotte Street has been changed to one way southbound for motor traffic with two way for cycling. On Goodge Street widened pavements will give more space for pedestrians and seating for businesses, alongside space for loading and access.
Councillor Adam Harrison continued:
“Although the summer showers may have slightly dampened events this weekend, it is amazing to see the various locations established and trading and I would like to congratulate all the local businesses involved and council colleagues for all their hard work.
“The success of the Belsize Village streatery, which was the first location to start trading, has shown that measures such as street dining can greatly assist businesses, whilst enabling social distancing of customers, and these spaces will be vital for many businesses to survive in the coming weeks and months.
“I look forward to visiting Charlotte Street, Drummond Street, South End Green and Goodge Street to experience them myself.”
Creating local streateries is one way in which the council is responding to the impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19), they are part of a wider range of measures which are being put in place to make travel in Camden Safer.
You can find out more about these changes on the council’s website: https://www.camden.gov.uk/making-travel-safer-in-camden.
The council are also relaxing planning and licensing restrictions in line with government guidance until the 30 September 2021.
- New legislation called the Business and Planning Act 2020 has recently been passed which makes it easier and cheaper for cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars to be able to apply to the council for a licence to use their immediate outdoor space to seat and serve customers outdoors.
- The new easy-to-use online application process is available online on the council’s website.
- Businesses applying for the new outdoor license, must display a public notice about the application in their shop-front window for seven days.
- The council have also introduced a new email alert system for residents to receive notifications about new licensing applications in their area. Once signed up, interested parties will have the opportunity to have their say on any applications and can also contact the council if they have any concerns about a new license.
- You can find more information about the consultation requirements for a license on the council’s website, however in many cases, businesses may not need a license to make changes to their business operations.