Perth pavement cafe rules to be relaxed

Mar 9 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

FAIR City restaurateurs and publicans yesterday toasted the possible removal of rules forcing pavement tipplers to buy food.

The move, which could see St John’s Place become more like popular European al fresco tourism hot spots such as Florence, has been flagged for a trial this summer by Perth and Kinross Licensing Board.

If it gets the nod, 12 ‘pavement cafes’ that already have permitted sidewalk tables, such as Willows and the Half a Tanner, will be able to serve alcohol outdoors without food orders.

Presently, al fresco customers have to order a ‘substantial meal’, either a main dish or anything bigger than a bag of crisps or nuts.

“We’re very happy – it’s about time too, 10 years too late,” said Paula Tabourel, co-owner of tapas restaurant Sante and Cafe Breizh.

“If you knew how often I have to refuse foreigners when they just want a nice glass of wine outside without food – they think we’re a bunch of idiots.

“Our customers drink in moderation and as for the people who might abuse it, well, they would do anyway and are just a small minority.”

Licensing Board convener Bob Band said the idea was to conduct the trial from April, but issued a caution.

“It may not work, regardless of how residents react during the trial period,” he declared.

“It may end up as a round of boozy drinking days in St John’s Place, but if it works well, and everything goes smoothly under controlled conditions, then this could well become a permanent arrangement.”

Atmosphere

But before the trial can be approved, residents who live close to venues, as well as authorities such as police and fire and rescue, will have to give their consent.

Meanwhile, Willows Coffee Shop owner Willie White cautiously welcomed the mooted trial, stressing that, “we have to be careful that we do nothing to detract from the unique atmosphere that the cafe quarter enjoys”.

Close neighbour and Ring O’ Bells landlord Gordon Fraser said Perth was finally falling into step with cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“I think it will give us the chance to prove that it can be managed properly. Licensees in this area run their indoor bars well and won’t tolerate any bad behaviour outside either,” he said.

“Any possible objections about hordes of 20-year-old guys drinking beers outside and making a lot of noise is not going to happen as we have to operate in line with strict rules.”

Half a Tanner manager Lisa Alexander said her pub had experienced little trouble with pavement table patrons in 10 years and that any problems were “dealt with by staff very quickly”.

“It will make the area much more continental. At the moment if someone fancies a quick drink outside with a colleague after work they have to order food, which they don’t want as they’re usually going home for their tea afterwards,” she said.

Affected venues are Central Oriental, Ciao Roma, Willows, Ring O’ Bells, Café Tabou, Half a Tanner, Brennans, Capital Asset, Perth Concert Hall, Hong Kong Restaurant, Cupcakes and Café Breizh.