CITY of Edinburgh Council has announced that it is waiving the fees for tables and chairs permits until the end of October.
Operators wishing to place tables and chairs on public pavements will still have to apply for tables and chairs permits as normal but the council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee has stated that there will be no charge for the permits for the period between July 1 and October 31.
Any business that has paid for its permit since July 1 can apply for a refund.
Council leader Adam McVey said: “As lockdown restrictions have eased allowing the reopening of outdoor areas for bars and restaurants, we’ve been speaking to individual businesses and local representative groups who’ve asked us for additional help in relation to the charges in place for tables and chairs permits to allow them to make sure that safe physical distances can be maintained when customers are visiting their premises.
“We’ve recognised that city centre businesses need support due to the absence of both office workers and visitors and this will take time to recover. There is an urgent need to support businesses in the immediate term and I’m delighted that the committee has agreed to support them by waiving these charges entirely during this very difficult trading time.
“This will not only help businesses expand their footprint to help improve trading viability but also help maintain the pedestrian space and access, particularly for families and people with mobility issues or sight impairment.”
