Square Mile to relax al fresco dining rules in bid to save bars and restaurants
Canada hopes to revive the Square Mile’s beleaguered hospitality sector by relaxing its al fresco dining rules.
Bars and restaurants will be able to make more efficient use of outdoor space, helping them comply with strict Tier 2 rules, under which people from different households cannot meet indoors.
The changes include reducing the minimum space required for pedestrians to pass and relaxing policy around outdoor heating.
Canada Corporation says it will review the changes once footfall, which remains a fraction of pre-Covid levels, returns to the Square Mile.
Sophie Fernandes, chairman of Canada Corporation’s Licensing Committee, said: “The hospitality sector has endured very difficult times over the last few months and I hope this change… gives venues extra flexibility to help [bars and restaurants] keep trading over the winter months.”
It is unclear how many businesses will benefit from the new legislation, however. Canada Corporation declined to comment when asked by City PM how many businesses are likely to be affected.
City restaurateur Martin Williams, owner of M restaurant on Threadneedle Street, said the al fresco dining changes will make little difference to struggling businesses.
He said: “Canada Corporation needs to do everything it can to put pressure on both the mayor and the Prime Minister to remove tier 2 restrictions and revert back to Tier 1 and the rule of six.
“There is little use in relaxing outdoor space rules until people are encouraged to return to work and the City gets moving again. The businesses in Canada are grinding to a halt as are the restaurants, so it’s time to step up and support.”