Over €850k for outdoor social spaces
Cavan County Council has secured €854,000 from the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority (NTA) to install outdoor spaces throughout the county, according to the Director of Services for Community and Enterprise Paddy Connaughton.
There will be approximately 30 spaces in the region, with some work already underway. The expectation is that these works will be completed by the end of June.
Spaces are being granted to allow businesses such as pubs, restaurants and cafés to open. Each space is around five metres by five metres or two to three car parking spaces in size.
It is predicted businesses will fit two to four tables in each area in line with current Covid guidelines.
“It’s compact but it gives them an opportunity,” said Mr Connaughton of the development.
Business owners are required to apply for a section 254 licence to allow them to utilise the outdoor space.
The council official said the reaction to the outdoor spaces has been “mixed” among business owners, with a similar reaction to plans to pedestrianise the streets of Cavan Town at the weekends.
“Publicans and restaurant owners have been going through a very hard time over the past 18 months,” he said.
“Everybody has to be flexible and pragmatic and there is an element of trying to work out together what the best way forward for everyone is.
“They’re being cautious, it’s been very weather dependent,” added Mr Connaughton.
The spaces are a temporary solution to allow businesses to resume trading.
“We’re not putting in permanent kerbs. These are designed only to last around 12 months.
“If we were to do something on a more permanent basis, it would involve a lot more intensive consultation with the public and with other business owners in the various towns and villages.
“They are just a temporary measure that will get us through the pandemic.”
Consultation regarding the pedestrianisation of Cavan Town is ongoing, with plans to pedestrianise the town from 7pm to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 3pm until 9pm on Sundays.
“It’s only a partial pedestrianisation, there will be traffic allowed through the town,” Mr Connaughton outlined. He further explained that the council is considering closing off the section from Townhall Street to Thomas Ashe Street.
The local authority has met with some of the traders, the Chamber of Commerce and the townspeople in relation to the proposals.
“We’re drafting up plans now and we would be hoping to be starting something in early July.”
The local authority and business community are working closely with An Garda Síochána to ensure a safe opening of the county town, where people can socially distance when visiting.
“It’s not a case of pedestrianisation and everybody puts out tables and chairs and goes outdoor drinking on the streets, that’s not what it’s about.
“It’s allowing footpaths to be wide enough that you could stroll through the town centre at a gentle pace,” explained the council official.
“This isn’t a festival that we’re trying to create, it’s about getting back towards normality and gently moving in that direction.”
Mr Connaughton stated pedestrianisation will depend on demand. “It is a temporary solution to encourage people back into the town.
“It’s an experimental project, we’ll see how it goes and take it one weekend at a time,” he concluded.