Parts of Manchester city centre could be turned into huge beer gardens

The council are looking into turning the streets and squares of Manchester into pedestrianised outdoor dining and drinking areas to kickstart the economy. 

Areas in the Northern Quarter, Gay Village and the newly pedestrianised stretch of Deansgate all could see outdoor dining and drinking options on the pavements and road to help bring hospitality businesses back on their feet.

We’re all wondering when we will be able to get a frosty pint again in reopened pubs, but the latest updates from the government suggest those with outdoor seating will be open first, with some reports saying they could potentially reopen as early as June 22nd.

In a bid to get Manchester city centre’s hospitality industry up and running, the council are looking into ways to get more businesses the outdoor spaces they will need to reopen. 

The council’s City Centre Chief has said a task force has been assembled to look into ways to bring together highways, licensing and planning officials to help businesses adapt after lockdown is lifted. 

Currently, establishments must have three types of permits to have seating and trade outside; planning permission to do so, a premises licence, and a tables and chairs licence.

The government is reportedly relaxing restrictions and giving local authorities more power with regards to restaurants, pubs and bars expanding their outside areas.

Communities Secretary Robert Jendrick has already said he is considering granting blanket permission for tables and chairs in pedestrianised areas.

Manchester is also working on adapting the tables and chairs license, including speeding up the process so more businesses can take advantage of the trade throughout summer.

Many factors have to align before these things can take place, the R rate needs to reduce, and pedestrian use, traffic flow and the interest of residents and general public safety all need to be addressed. 

Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “The council is committed to doing everything within our power to support businesses and the economy of the city as we recover from the unprecedented impact of COVID-19.

“Its effects have been incredibly disruptive and we are under no illusion that recovery will be a challenging process.

“We have made it clear to the government that we need the regulatory power to help businesses get back to work in ways that are both safe but also profitable. Planning and licensing laws are there for a good reason – but it is clear that this is a time for pragmatism and flexibility.”

The government has yet to announce its guidelines for the reopening of the hospitality industry but like many, it is expected to look very different to what it did pre-lockdown.

Many pubs have created prototypes as to how they will operate, including Wetherspoons. Other reports have said steins will be used to reduce the contact between customers and staff. 

What do you think, should Manchester have more al fresco dining and drinking options to help all our independent restaurant and bars reopen? Let us know what you think in the Facebook comments.