Pavement cafes may serve drinks without meals

TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are seeking approval of a revised pavement café policy which would allow the sale of alcohol without an accompanying table meal.
Currently, licensed premises may only serve alcohol together with a meal but the proposed changes would remove this restriction in line with the council’s view that revisions are needed because of the changing needs of businesses, visitors and local residents.
The pavement café policy has remained unchanged since June, 2008.
Only four pavement café licences have been issued in the town centre area.
A report to be considered by the council’s licensing committee says it is recognised that Warrington has much to offer to make the borough attractive to visitors and residents.
Weather permitting, the addition of good quality pavement cafes in the extensively pedestrianised areas could contribute to a relaxed and sociable style of eating and drinking.
Other changes proposed include allowing umbrellas, parasols and external heaters to be used as pave of pavement café furniture
Trading would be allowed from 9am to 10pm, with an option to request longer hours where applicants can demonstrate it would be appropriate.
New licences would be granted for an indefinite period and would be automatically renewed provided there had been no complaints or enforcement action against them.
Licences could also be transferred from one licence holder to another.
Extensive consultation has already been carried out, as a result of which the draft policy was amended.
The licensing committee is being invited to review the consultation response and, if they wish, re-consult before implementing any changes.