Limerick City and County Council has announced that fees for tables and chairs placed outside business premises throughout Limerick are to be waived for 2020.
The Council will waive all fees due under the Planning Code for tables and chairs to allow businesses to cater for additional customers while still observing social distancing.
The move will also enliven the city streets as people drink and dine al fresco over the next couple of months.
However, it will still be necessary for businesses to apply for Limerick City and County Council’s consent to place tables and chairs outside their premises in a public place.
This is necessary in the interests of proper regulation of footpaths, so that those in wheelchairs, using mobility scooters and people with buggies as well as all other pedestrians will still be able to use the footpaths in a safe manner.
In addition to the waiving for fees for tables and chairs, the Council is also waiving six months of the Casual Trading Licence Fees for 2020 having regard to the impact of Covid-19 on businesses in the Casual Trading Areas of Limerick, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale.
Application forms for Tables and Chairs can be accessed on the Council’s website here.
For more information on Casual Trading Licences, click here.
Work has begun on the construction of the first of two parklets/ build-outs – O’Connell Street on a section of the block between Thomas Street and Roches Street.
The parklet will reassign road space for use by pedestrians and will be a place where people can sit and relax, and take some time out during their visit to the city. The O’Connell Street parklet is expected to open within a week.
The second location is on Catherine Street, between Glentworth Street and Cecil Street and construction will begin once the works on O’Connell Street are completed.
Additional seating areas are also going to be provided in the core business district shortly. Among the locations include Bedford Row, Thomas Street and the City Quays.
The Parks Department of the Council has increased the volume of flowers it grows in its nurseries this year, to provide even more colourful displays along the city streets and bridges than usual, and has worked with some retailers and businesses in supplying display flowers for different premises in the city centre.
These are the latest initiatives being rolled out as part of Guiding Limerick Through Covid-19.
Further phases will be rolled out in the coming weeks as we all work together to ensure Limerick emerges from the Covid-19 restrictions in as healthy a position as possible.
