Covid 19 - What you need to know - Westminster announce return of al fresco scheme

Westminster City Council has announced their al fresco scheme will be returning when restaurants, pubs and bars are expected to re-open to outdoor diners on 12 April and will remain throughout the summer months until the end of September 2021.

A move to support the hospitality sector will see the return of temporary measures, first implemented when premises first reopened in July 2020 following lockdown #1.

Since the introduction of the scheme, the Council reports more than 560 premises were issued with pavement licences and have been able to benefit from outdoor dining. In addition, 60 streets were transformed with temporary road closures and pavement widening to allow for outdoor restaurant seating in the street.

In a news announcement published on the Council’s website, Cllr Rachael Robathan, Leader of Westminster City Council, said:

"Hospitality is a major employer in Westminster supporting around 80,000 jobs and a big part of the reason people visit the West End. But with shutters down and doors barred, this sector has been amongst the hardest hit during lockdown.

“We know how hard this has been, which is why we are relaunching our al fresco scheme as soon as the easing of restrictions allows to help struggling businesses as much as we can. We have more pubs, restaurants and bars than any other local authority area - around 3,700 - and we want to see them welcoming back customers in a safe way. The majority of our residents have supported these schemes in the past and we hope they will understand the need to continue the temporary measures until the end of September.

“We stand ready to back our hospitality trade and continue to fight for the financial support they need to survive this period."