“DANGER. TEA AND COFFEE CROSSING THE ROAD”
Controversial decision to close a Church St pavement café.
Town Council “discussed the possible extension of the County council’s ‘Open Streets Café Culture’ scheme.”
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Back in June, the County Council brought in temporary ‘street cafe’ licences
Street café culture for Sidmouth? – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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And the Town Council urged businesses to take advantage of the newly-pedestrianised areas:
Making Sidmouth streets safe and welcoming – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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And indeed, so successful has the experiment been, that the Town Council said last month that it would like it extended:
Members discussed the possible extension of the Covid secure traffic measures and the County council’s ‘Open Streets Café Culture’ scheme.
Part-pedestrianisation for Sidmouth town centre for 2021? – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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However, there has been a bit of a hiccough in this – with one pavement café having to close:
Sidmouth café owner left ‘dumbfounded’ after losing outdoor seating permit | sidmouth.nub.news
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There has been quite a response on the Sidmouth Community Facebook pages, with over 40 comments in support of the business:
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And now the business is looking to take things further:
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A correspondent provides this observation:
I can see a satirical cartoon showing a banner over the entrance to Church Street heralding: DANGER. TEA AND COFFEE CROSSING THE ROAD, and a road works sign in red: DANGER: Parasols. Please take care and follow the printed footsteps.
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And another has noted that at one of the narrowest points in Sidmouth, there is a café with chairs and tables on the actual roadway:
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The former ‘Old Ship’ cafe © Richard Law :: Geograph Britain and Ireland