Monmouthshire County Council is inviting local businesses that would like to serve food and drink in outside spaces to get in touch. In a move to further support the revitalisation of high streets, the council is behind plans to create a ‘Café Culture’ environment. For cafés, pubs and restaurants with limited outdoor space, this will give the opportunity to place tables and chairs outside where there is space to do so safely.

The first step will be for interested businesses to apply for CAFE SPACE permission via the MyMonmouthshire App, which can be found on www.monmouthshire.gov.uk. The online application form will ask for additional supporting information such as a sketch of the area required and evidence of public liability insurance.

Restaurants, cafés and pubs will need to consider the following points when applying:

• Is there sufficient pavement width outside the property to accommodate tables and chairs whilst still maintaining 1.5m clear space for pedestrians?
• How will social distancing be managed?
• Are there other outside spaces that can be considered as seating areas?
• Will the proposed location of tables and chairs affect existing access along the highway for pedestrians, cyclists and traffic?
• Does your proposal require closing off part or the whole of the road to through traffic, and if so what impact will this have?

Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Jane Pratt said: “Given the latest Covid-19 regulations, it is likely many more establishments will be considering utilising outdoor spaces than ever before.

“I would urge owners of cafés, coffee shops, public houses and restaurants to take this opportunity to think about how the Café Culture approach could work for their premises and to make an application from July 13, when the hospitality sector is allowed to reopen. Every effort will be made to process these swiftly, however there may be a delay should demand be high.

“I have every hope this will not only help more businesses recover from the devastating financial impact of the pandemic, but it will also make our high streets even more attractive for returning shoppers.”