Local MP Christopher Pincher welcomes cafes and restaurants using pavements for safe spacing

Enjoying a tea at the Cosy Cafe on Market Street

Legislation signed into law by local MP Christopher Pincher, in his capacity as the Government Housing and Planning Minister, has seen businesses across Tamworth capitalise on the reformed rules and get more customers, safely, through their doors.

The Government has simplified the licensing process for outdoor seating and stalls, making it easier for people to safely drink and dine outside.  These planning freedoms, which came into force at midnight on Wednesday, will mean that al fresco dining, outdoor markets, pop-up car-boot sales or summer fairs will not need a planning application, which will transform the way people shop and socialise.   For Pubs and restaurants, they are capitalising on being able to use car parks and terraces as dining and drinking areas, using their existing seating licenses.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, also announced in the Budget that business rates for shops and cafes (retail, leisure and hospitality firms) will have to pay 0% on their business rates for the next 12 months. Meanwhile, ensuring that the local Council receives this money from the Government, rather than losing income for services for local people. 

 

Commenting, Christopher Pincher MP said:

“The other week I popped into Cosy and had a coffee sat outside, all socially distanced and the experience is most enjoyable especially with these warmer months. 

“The ability for more businesses to open up to ‘al fresco’ dining helps them to limit numbers inside, maximise their customer base safely and continue to support. It was legislation I was very keen to accelerate as I want our economy to recover and for residents to feel secure in their jobs. 

“Tamworth is open for business and I know the Borough Council and I are keen to continue to promote economic growth in all sectors of our local economy. Particularly in local independent shops.”

 

Adding, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, Cllr Rob Pritchard said:

“This is a great step forward in helping what is a big economic sector in Tamworth survive and get going again. It is important that local business owners can use the tools provided to them to get going again, and the team at the Council and I are helping residents where we can.”

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