Expanded patios for restaurants and bars returning to Calgary
Posted Mar 2, 2021 10:24 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – There is some good news for those looking for outdoor time this summer.
The City of Calgary said it is bringing back its patio support plan with some extended support for restaurants and bars.
Those added supports include waiving development permits, operating licenses and temporary permission fees for the upcoming season.
“It’s not only our citizens that are benefiting from our patio season starting a little earlier, but it’s really important for our businesses to have another year of fee relief,” said Leader of the Business and Local Economy team Sonya Sharp. “2020 was hard for everyone. This gives us some optimism for 2021.”
The fee relief was first introduced last May and helped more than 100 businesses by allowing patios on sidewalks and other public lands.
“For anyone looking to re-energize their business and make a push in 2021 to have a fast rebound year, I would strongly suggest to engage The City of Calgary in conversation any way you can in regards to any extension outdoors that’s going to help your business,” said owner of Marda Loop Brewing Co. Mike de Jong.
“If there’s a parking lot, a couple of spaces that can be taken up, a sidewalk that can be extended, all it takes is a few more tables to make your ends meet.”
De Jong added when he was approved for the patio extension last spring, customers were lined up every day for two weeks just to get in.
“There’s another aspect of COVID that’s harder to measure; it’s the emotional and psychological impact of this pandemic on communities and if people don’t have a place to go and have a good time then we’re going to have a lot more problems down the road.”
Last year, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) recognized Calgary’s patio program as part of the Golden Scissors Awards for cutting regulatory red tape.
Applications for this year’s patio program for restaurants, bars and outdoor cafes is now open and those that received approval last year, can apply for a reduced process with quicker approvals if they reference last year’s information.
