Al Fresco dining in Kensington is here to stay

Outdoor dining licenses trialled during the pandemic in Kensington are being extended beyond September, causing both concern and celebration across the borough.

Instead of ending later this year, the licenses will continue to be offered to businesses from March to October from next year, with a five-year renewal period.

Many people in the area are welcoming the extension after al fresco dining became very popular throughout the pandemic, but some businesses are calling for outdoor dining to be available all year round.

What are the Al Fresco dining licenses in Kensington?

‘Al Fresco’ dining is used to describe dining outdoors in the fresh or open air.

Kensington and Chelsea introduced the outdoor dining as part of Covid measures, initially to support businesses in times of social distancing and government guidelines.

Rather than finishing when temporary government legislation ends in September 2022, hospitality businesses will now be able to access licences to operate outdoor dining from March to October 2023.

Licenses are set to last five years once approved, businesses will then be required to apply for a renewal to continue the license further.

Calls for Al Fresco dining licenses to available all year round

Many hospitality venues across the borough are calling for outdoor dining to be available all year round rather than March to October, so they can continue to use the outdoor dining space for business.

Danny Zangoura is the owner of Mikes Café, “Although I’m very grateful, I don’t understand the reasoning behind taking it down.”

He told us, “A lot of businesses will go under, certainly in our catering industry, a lot of businesses will not survive… there will be mass closures in hospitality.

“Keep these facilities up, these facilities will get a lot better if they just allow them to stay up for 12 months a year because restaurateurs will invest in them.”

Pressure in the hospitality industry

Mr Zangoura tells us that the hospitality industry is already struggling, “It’s on a knife edge, it really is on a knife edge because our energy bills are going through the roof.”

He adds, “VAT is going back up, business rates are coming back in, everyone’s bills are going up, we’re under pressure everywhere.

“It’s precarious times, I had to borrow money just to get through this and we’re still trying to recover from the last two years.”

Danny is concerned if the outdoor dining isn’t available all year, he will struggle to take on full time staff, “I can’t take on the full-time staff because I can’t commit to that.

“I don’t know how we can do it trying to find seasonal staff, it’s hard enough as it is to find permanent staff.”

He told us he has had to alter his opening times, “We used to just close two days a year, Christmas and Boxing Day, now we have to close two days a week to make sure current staff rest.

“If the outdoor facilities are available all year then I would go back to 7 days, employ more staff because then I can commit, but I can’t do that when having to take it down.”

“Counterproductive” Al fresco dining licenses

Other businesses in the area are also urging for annual use of outdoor dining, Sagar Wahi owns Corks and Kegs and is worried about having to close and reopen his outdoor space.

“Just giving us licenses from March to October is counterproductive, our one concern is that to set up in March and dissemble in October is all an extra cost to us.

“One request is to give us the licenses for the whole year round, it saves us the cost, material, and it’s more environmentally friendly.”

Owner of Adriana’s Café and Eating Adriana Zymberaj told us, “We have just ten tables inside, which isn’t a lot, so it is very helpful to have the license for outside otherwise we’re losing customers.”

She adds, “We’re open until 5:30pm 7 days a week, but every morning we have to take the tables and chairs outside and bring them in when we close, because we’re not allowed to leave them there… it’d be helpful if we could.”

Benefits of outdoor dining during the Covid-19 pandemic

Despite requesting further extension to the outdoor dining proposals, the outdoor dining has been greatly received and very popular throughout the pandemic.

Danny Zangoura tells us about when he first queried about the license for Mike’s Café, “It was tough times, as it was for many”, he says.

“I’ve got a young family, bills coming in, I’m a limited company and was only allowed to ever reclaim the minimal amount on my furlough.”

He told us, “If I didn’t have the roof and outside space, in the end it would’ve sent me into bankruptcy without question.

“I was literally borrowing money off the family to pay for things, there’s absolutely no way we would’ve survived.”

Sagar Wahi also told us he wouldn’t have survived without the license, “If we did not have the terrace and al fresco dining, we wouldn’t have been able to get out of the pandemic and survive as a business.

“One of the reasons we’ve come out of it is because of the al fresco dining concept, it’s been very helpful, the terrace was there to give us the extra push that we needed.

“It gives us more space and enhances our position in terms of more seating capacity, the al fresco dining concept overall has been fantastic.”

Adriana Zymberaj is also grateful for the initiative, “It’s very helpful, especially when it’s nice weather, because we have quite a lot of seats outside which makes a big difference for business.”

“I think it’s the most primary thing for these businesses to have space outside, it brings people together and I think it’s important.

“People have a had a difficult year with Covid, now they want to have a seat outside because indoors they’ve had enough.”

Kensington and Chelsea council on Al fresco dining licenses

Kensington and Chelsea council say March to October is in line with British summertime, mirroring when facilities have been most busy and avoiding winter terraces requiring outdoor heating, extra costs, and adding to carbon emissions.

Licenses have been granted for 114 outdoor dining terraces licensed on temporary footway extensions and more than 450 pavement licenses in streets and public spaces so far.

Current proposals request outdoor dining to operate seasonally in Sloane Square with exception for pop-up events and activities all year round, the planning application process is to be announced in the coming weeks.

Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for planning, place and environment said, "It’s a no brainer to keep outdoor licensing on the menu. This is a way to support our businesses to get back on their feet, whilst adding to Kensington and Chelsea’s reputation as a destination.”

Steve Medway, Chief Executive of the King’s Road and Knightsbridge Business Improvement Districts said, “Alfresco dining proved hugely popular with residents, visitors and employees in our districts, it created a whole new atmosphere and an enhanced community feel that provided a real boost to local people and for local businesses.”

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