Town centre to open up for outdoor dining
Mullingar Municipal District is set to open up the town centre for alfresco/outdoor eating and drinking to help jump start the local hospitality sector after months under lockdown.
The Westmeath Examiner has learned that the local authority is planning to open up the recently revamped public realm areas of Dominick Square, Market House and Mount Street on a “temporary licence arrangement”. Under the government’s road map for the easing of Covid-19 related restrictions, restaurants and cafés are scheduled to reopen on June 29, while bars are set to reopen on August 10.
In a statement released to the Westmeath Examiner yesterday, Martin Murray, director of services at Mullingar Municipal District, also revealed that it “may be possible to look at additional areas if physically possible elsewhere in town”.
“During Covid-19 the Executive of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District (MKMD) have periodically updated the members of the district.
“The use of the newly created public realm areas was discussed at these updates. Members asked the executive to examine the options associated [with] using the newly created Public Realm areas to assist with compliance to the Government Guidelines regarding Covid-19 from a business perspective.
“MKMD executive are currently examining this possibility and are positively open to the use of these areas on a ‘temporary licence arrangement’ to assist the business/retail sector who can benefit.”
The chairman of the Westmeath branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, Liam Gilleran, proprietor of Gilleran’s Bar on Harbour Street, said that it was “great news” that the council was looking at ways to help businesses, but added that while the current 2m social distancing guidelines remain in place it remains very difficult for pubs to reopen.
He said that a recent report calculated that with 2m social distancing, many pubs would see a 75 per cent reduction in their turnover, while at 1m there would be a 50pc reduction in turnover.
Stressing that he was not “giving out” or criticising health officials, Mr Gilleran said that he won’t be opening while the 2m social distancing rule is in place. While some commentators may be calling for a 1m social distance rule to be introduced, Mr Gilleran said that he was putting his faith in the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan and his team.
David Quirke, proprietor of the Wholesome Kitchen restaurant on Dominique Street, says that the opening up of Dominick Square, Market Square and Mount Street won’t make a lot of difference to his business due to its location.
He would like to see the council temporarily waive the fees cafés and bars have to pay for outdoor tables and chairs.
In addition to increasing the number of customers he can serve, Mr Quirke said that some people may feel safer dining in the fresh air.
Last week, Green Party councillor Hazel Smyth proposed that the council partially pedestrianise some of the streets in the centre of Mullingar to help businesses as they come to terms with operating under social distancing guidelines: “With hopefully some good weather on the cards for us this summer it would be really nice. You could stroll around town and have the space to sit outside. People could have their ice-creams or whatever while maintaining social distancing as well. It would hopefully be good for businesses too. They would be able to provide outdoor seating if people aren’t that comfortable eating inside. People will still want to meet up and have a few drinks,” she said.