CONTINENTAL style al fresco dining in Islington is under threat from a plan to charge £40 a year for every chair placed on the pavement.
Small café owners fear the proposals could signal the death knell of the borough’s open air café culture, with only big business being able to afford the new rates.
The charges are being introduced as part of a new licensing scheme with the aim of removing obstacles and “making the pavements more people friendly”.
The Islington Tribune spoke to café owners from across the borough, from Archway to Exmouth Market, and all were agreed the proposals would cripple business.
George Vacca, 40, owner of the Rite Bite, in Upper Street, said he would “start a revolution” if the plans go ahead. He said: “We are going to object to it completely.” His wife Sandra said: “It’s like charging £40 for a cappuccino.”
One diner in the bistro and cafe questioned whether the council would have a team of chair inspectors to enforce the new legislation. He said: “That’ll be another few hundred thousand pounds down the drain.”
The council stress some cafes will be better off under the new scheme. Many, though not all, pay a flat charge of £550 which will be scraped. The new scheme would involve a £350 administration charge plus a £40 per chair, per annum fee.
Gary Little, 42, owner of Leonard’s EC1 bar, in Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, said: “By imposing charges like this it stifles the outdoor café culture they are trying to create. Council charges are high already and something like chairs should be included within that.”
Mobile advertising boards and newspaper dispensers will also face a £300 per board, per year levy. Skips, cranes and hoardings also face a roadside tax.
Islington’s executive aired the proposal at last Thursday’s Executive meeting. Consultation has already been undertaken and is ongoing. The Executive’s decision will go to Scrutiny Committee before going back to the Executive for final assent. The new charges could be implemented as early as spring 2006. Opposition Labour councillors yesterday (Thursday) “called in” the proposals, meaning they could be sent back to the Executive with stiff conditions.
Mahmoud Ismail, 41, the owner of the Metro Café, in Junction Road, Archway, said: “The council, they never stop. This is really going to hit small business. I think it is unfair and unjust. It is a large pavement and we are not obstructing anybody. We’re trying to make Archway look like the West End.
“It’s such a shame, we’ll have to consider not putting chairs outside. The council is pushing small business out of business.”
Adil Kolcak, 39, manager of Mem & Laz, opposite Islington Town Hall, said: “My first reaction is it is outrageous and not fair. We are already paying higher rates. The council needs to promote small business in Islington and I think they are taking liberties. Putting tables outside creates a nice place and increases its value.”
Dominic Savarese, owner of Santoré restaurant, in Exmouth Market. Clerkenwell, has only been in business four weeks. With 20 tables outside he said the new proposals will hit business hard. He said: We are not happy. It’s not fair and we are going to be very damaged by this. Islington Council is just trying to speculate.”
Councillor Bridget Fox, Islington’s environment supremo, said: “We want to make Islington’s streets even more ‘people-friendly’ and make better use of our licensing and enforcement powers to ensure that cafe tables and chairs stay as an attractive feature and not an obstacle course, particularly for older people, the disabled and young families.
“Our new policy brings together existing charges, most of which have been frozen, while our charges for tables and chairs are actually being reduced for smaller cafes. This is good news for local corner cafes, which have previously paid the same as big restaurant chains. We will be consulting further with local businesses, residents and other interested groups about the proposed changes before any changes are implemented.”