AQW 13702/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 29/01/2021
Answered On Date: 09/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities whether she plans to reopen the Pavement Café Scheme, given the ongoing restrictions related to COVID-19.

Answer:

As the Pavement Café Scheme falls under the remit of DfC I am providing answer to this question.

Under the Licensing of Pavement Cafés Act (NI) 2014 (the Act), it is the responsibility of each district council to design a pavement café licensing regime appropriate to their area and the Act contains a significant degree of flexibility for councils to respond to local circumstances.

At present, hospitality venues are not permitted to offer outdoor seating for those availing of takeaway services. The current regulations are in place until 5 March 2021. It would be a matter for each district council to then consider whether or not to open any such licensing scheme.