Brigg Blog has posted previously about official applications to North Lincolnshire Council now been necessary for permission to have tables and chairs outside town centre premises like the Lord Nelson and the Steel Rooms. This morning we noticed a third public notice - this time relating to Scalini's chippie, in Wrawby Street.
It would be interesting to know from the council the reason for this seemingly new requirement. Perhaps someone will get in touch with the answer.
My understanding is that since the comparatively recent emergence of Continental-style of on-pavement dining about Brigg - NLC needs to legitimise such practise.
ReplyDeleteI assume that no-one wants to be a Jobs-Worth and stop shop owners, but there has to be some clarification and understanding of how far such facilities can extend - ie some boudary-line has to be defined.
There is potential for on-pavement dining to grow laissez-faire ...and, as such, casual and/or uncontrolled spreading could block the highway to emergency vehicles.
Similarly, if NLC didn't exercise some control...and, for instance, someone stumbled over a strayed chair, the Council could potentially be sued by the injured party for not exercising reasonable care with the management of the highway and therefore, a civil court could find the Council somewhat responsible for not foreseeing the potential danger and/or not assuming some sort of jurisdiction and taking action over ameliorating the dangers of a reasonably predictable hazard....and it would be Joe Public who would have to fork out any damage/injury costs.
Essentially, it's a bit of formal/legal agreement with all parties indicating the confines and responsibilities for Continental-style snacking.