The last street in Harrogate will be partly pedestrianised this week. North Yorkshire County Council has said no further road closures are planned beyond that.
The authority has so far helped 11 businesses in the town to provide extra seating space outside premises and had said it would only close roads “if there is a clear demand”.
It comes as both the county council and Harrogate Borough Council promised to work with bars, restaurants and cafes to open up space in an effort to increase capacity.
From tonight, The Ginnel, which hosts Monty’s Rock Bar and Manahatta, will become the latest street to be closed to provide extra space.
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The road will be closed between 5pm until 11pm Wednesday to Saturday and 1pm until 11pm on Sundays.
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Gareth Bentley, food, licensing and occupational safety manager at the borough council, confirmed the pedestrianisation of The Ginnel area to the authority’s scrutiny committee.
Mr Bentley said the move was needed to help with more capacity.
He said:
“It’s not something that comes naturally to allow people to drink on the street, but the reality is that when licensed premises implement the covid-19 control guidance well their occupancy is 30% or 40% of what it used to be.
“We are working really hard to promote relaxations to allow them to use the outdoors more and more with an eye on making sure that it is done respectfully.”
Meanwhile, parking bays have already been suspended on Montpellier Hill and Royal Parade as part of the measures to create space.
But cones placed on West Park proved to be controversial with business owners and county council officials took them down.
The pedestrianisation of streets come as the hospitality sector looks to take full advantage of what remains of the summer months to increase capacity and raise income.
However owners in the sector have raised fears that some businesses will fall victim to the three month battering of lockdown and the upcoming winter.
Peter Banks, managing director of Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, said that bars, restaurants and hotels should expect a tough winter.
Meanwhile, last night, borough council leader, Richard Cooper, warned that some businesses will not survive the impending economic downturn.
