It's a dilemma. A 12-inch deep bench will actually be nearer a metre deep when a couple of people put their bags down and sit on it. Then someone comes along with a 2-child buggy, a mobility scooter, a walking frame, whatever, and has to manoeuvre around it, then eventually someone will fall over. I can see why a license should be applied for, I can just about see why there should be a cost for the application. But I can't see why it should be excessive (£500 is excessive imo) and I don't see why it should be renewable annually.
Another of those things that doesn’t seem to be such a problem in Europe where there tables and chairs all over the place with no problems.
If it wasn't renewable, there's every chance the traders would push the boundaries, so the opportunity to review keeps that in check. Also, circumstances (and operators) change. Oh, and the legislation itself says the licence cannot be for more than 2 years, so the Council have limited choice.
Rather depends what you choose to believe. https://euroweeklynews.com/2024/05/22/alfresco-fiasco-italians-reject-outside-tables/
I do because ER claim A board's are a hazard unless you pay the fee to join the scheme, and it's not £25, its more like £50 in Beverley, so how does paying a fee to the ER make the boards less of a hazard?
Fair comments. Except in this case there was absolutely no obstruction due to the width of the pavement. Yes, maybe (arguably) makes sense for a simple process to go through and a very small fee to cover any admin cost. Or maybe just use common sense - is this causing an obstruction in any way? No. Is it 'out of character' ? No. OK, carry on.
Exactly. If it's causing a hazard, or other material problem, issue a warning to get it moved or whatever. Simple.
A bigger hazard is avoiding vans and lorries driving down pedestrianised street, and tripping over the legs of beggers, dodging the charity bucket collectors, and the raving lunatic Jesus-Saves-You-bloke who shouts abuse at you. Talking Beverley here.
But they can review without charging, only charge if things have changed and a new application is needed.
If you read my post again, that's exactly what I said it cost. They don't claim it's a hazard if you don't pay, but not one if you do, they make you pay the fee to fund the licensing scheme to make sure everyone places their A boards in a place that doesn't cause a hazard.
It doesn't seem to be a problem in Beverley either, half the car park in Saturday Market is now outside seating, as is the area next to the bandstand, along with half the old car park in Wednesday Market... please log in to view this image
What's the going rate for cardboard box/sleeping bag, pavement space for our down and out/downtrodden indigenous homeless these days?
The same cost as the night shelters the council provide for the homeless, free. The shelters are never full, some just don't want to be helped. A few years back BBC Look North talked to a woman who was homeless and sleeping on the streets, she told them she used to live in a flat but slept in the garden. David Burns on his radio show talked about this often, his solution was that some of them needed 'tough love', he's probably correct. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
