New Committee Created To Help Restaurants With Patio Issue

A new downtown Collingwood committee has been formed to help restaurants and coffee shops deal with changes to where patios may and may not be situated on downtown streets. The committee has considered participating in any additional costs that may result in moving patios curbside. Councilor Kathy Jeffery heads up the new committee and has stated that the BIA may be able to help ease additional financial costs to the restaurant owners by eliminating permit fees for patios. The committee has also discussed the possibility of sourcing out the leasing of tents, furniture and patio bar equipment.

Collingwood council has debated the patio issue at length, and has voted to move downtown patios curbside. Council had heard from restaurant owners concerned about added costs to move the patios from adjacent to the buildings to curbside. In addition, restaurant owners have stated concern about possible safety issues in having serving staff cross a public area carrying hot food and beverages. In addition, restaurant owners are concerned about liquor laws and how they may impact the serving of alcohol on outdoor patios at the new curbside locations.