MOU to allowbooze in street

A NEW memorandum of understanding between Londonderry’s City Centre Initiaitve (CCI) and Roads Service may allow local cafés and bars take control of city footpaths for the service of booze and food if planned legislation to license pavement cafés is not in place for UK City of Culture 2013.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Sep 2012, 11:28 BST

According to a report before Derry City Council’s Environmental Services Committee tomorrow the contingency plan is modelled on a similar arrangement currently in operation in Belfast.

The report explains that during the summer a local architect asked the local authority about the possibility of allowing a proposed café at the Richmond Centre to extend its seating to the footway.

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“Members will be aware that legislation is currently being drafted to allow Council to license pavement café areas but it is not known how soon the legislation will be brought into effect,” the report states.

“The Licensing Officer was aware that, in Belfast, a scheme has been operated by City Centre Management whereby cafés and bars can take control of part of the footway from the Roads Service under a Memorandum of Understanding.

“A copy of the MOU used in Belfast was obtained from Belfast City Council and forwarded to the architect. City Centre Initiative and the Roads Service have now put a similar arrangement in place in the City as a contingency in case the Pavement Café Licensing legislation is not in place for next year’s events.

“There are no implications for Council as the scheme will be run through CCI and applications will be assessed by CCI and Roads Service,” the report adds.

Related topics:Council