Plans to change the regime for pavement café licences has sparked concerns about the impact on York businesses.
Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors Andrew Waller and Ashley Mason say the proposals had also caused confusion about their effect on street traders.
Labour’s Cllr Pete Kilbane said City of York Council was working to provide businesses with clarity about the changes and had postponed a final decision so their concerns could be considered.
Licenses would also remain unavailable to businesses in Goodramgate to Colliergate and Blake Street to Lendal following a decision to restrict them to Blue Badge parking.
Ted Hustler, owner of the Tasca Frango Portguese restaurant in King’s Square, told councillors his business was making £300-a-day less since restrictions were introduced in October.
Transport executive member Cllr Kate Ravilious told a council meeting last Friday (19 July) she was sympathetic to and wanted to support businesses but maintaining access for everyone was vital.
Transport, planning and environment director James Gilchrist said officials would discuss all the changes with businesses on Monday (July 29), following Liberal Democrat claims they were not being properly consulted.
It follows a decision by Cllr Ravilious to move forward with the proposals following new licensing regime rules which came into force in March.
Fees hiked
The changes aim to make arrangements around the use of pavements and public highways for outdoor seating for businesses permanent after rules were relaxed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Licence fees are also being raised from £100 to £500 for new applicants and £350 for renewals.
The changes were backed locally by councillors during budget meetings in February.
The new laws would also give the council powers to remove street furniture if businesses continue to put them in the highway after being told not to.
They also aim to clarify the status of the use of privately-owned parts of highways for outdoor seating, street furniture and other structures.
The proposals are set to go before the council’s licensing committee for a final decision after the summer.
Cllr Waller, whose Westfield ward is home to affected businesses in Acomb’s Front Street and elsewhere, said the changes around rules for private land had left many questions unanswered.
The Liberal Democrat added erroneously advertising the Monday, 29 July meeting as being on Monday, 22 July on the same day added insult to injury.
Cllr Mason, of Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward, claimed street traders had been told they would have to give up their pitches at certain times of the year.
But Cllr Kilbane said the changes were about ensuring a fair and consistent approach and formalising private land use, while Cllr Mason’s claims about traders amounted to scaremongering.
The executive member said: “We postponed any decisions to ensure their concerns are fully considered and to enable them to plan with confidence for the lucrative Christmas Market period.
“That is the mark of a council that listened and took appropriate action.”
Council officer Mr Gilchrist said they would continue to support businesses through the changes, make processes as easy as possible and were widening their engagement with them.
He said: “The rules of the highway equally apply to privately-maintained highways so working with those business is just as important.
“The council is, however, clear that in the city centre it will prioritise the road space for parking and access for Blue Badge holders in the two access corridors, whilst recognising that those businesses on these streets will be unable to obtain a pavement café licence.”