New infrastructure planned for Peterborough city centre to allow all-weather casual dining

The move by Peterborough City Council is seen as vital to ensuring the survival of the city’s growing number of food outlets.

It is feared the need for restaurants, cafes and pubs to ensure social distancing will reduce customer numbers and erase profits.

Now the council is looking at how it can provide the infrastructure to allow all-weather casual dining in the city centre.

Councillor John Holdich, the council leader, said: “The hospitality, food and beverage sector has been hit hard by COVID-19 and will find it difficult to trade profitably under current social distance guidance.

“We are looking at how we can provide the infrastructure to allow all-weather casual dining outside in the city centre.

He added: “The next phase of the plan to reignite the city centre involves creating a social distanced cafe culture and we have funding in place from the Combined Authority to take this forward.”

News of the all-weather dining plan comes after city centre managers declared the re-opening of non-essential stores after the 12 weeks lockdown closure a huge success.

They say feedback from shopkeepers, volunteer marshalls and shoppers was overwhelmingly positive and that good levels of business were reported and social distancing measures observed.

So far, about 50 per cent of shops have now re-opened their doors.

Cllr Holdich said: “Thank you to the shops for enforcing the measures so well and of course to the shoppers for following the rules and ensuring our city centre hasn’t so far had the issues that other places have experienced.

“Thanks to the police too for increasing their presence in the city centre in case there were any issues.

He added: “If you’ve not visited yet, then it may be helpful for you to know that we have lots of measures in place to help keep you safe, like wider pavements, additional street cleaning and bench markings which show you how to keep a safe distance from others.

“We’re also continuing free parking in all council-owned car parks until the middle of next month.

“Our shopping marshals are out in force all this week too, guiding people through the new measures.

“Please support our city centre shops and businesses if you are able to – their future lies in your hand.”