Swansea Council to extend pandemic help for hospitality trade

SWANSEA Council ruling cabinet has agreed to continue to provide licences for outdoor dining areas free of charge until the end of March next year.

The move – which follows the suspension of fees for Pavement Café Licences since summer 2020 – aims to help businesses as they operate within pandemic restrictions. It will continue to bring added life and vibrancy to the city’s streets and other areas.

The move – saving business around £50,000 a year – will be part of the council’s wider multi-million pound recovery fund to help businesses and communities recover from the pandemic.

All businesses wishing to create an outdoor seating area on the highway – and those who wish to continue using their existing seating areas – must apply for a licence via www.swansea.gov.uk/pavementcafe.

Council joint deputy leader and cabinet member David Hopkins said:

“By removing some costs for the whole of 2022 and into next year we can save businesses many thousands of pounds.”