Oswestry cafe manager says they are losing custom after street furniture council row
A cafe says it is losing customers after being told it is only allowed to put two tables outside its premises.
Caroline's Viennese Patisserie is a popular spot for alfresco dining and previously had five tables outside its shop in Festival Square, Oswestry.
But Shropshire Council officials have told staff that five tables are too many and any piece of furniture can only protrude a metre from the shop window.
They say pavements must be safe for use by all pedestrians, "particularly those with mobility issues, visual impairment and pushchairs".
Oswestry Chamber of Commerce has urged traders who have similar problems to contact it.
Jean Meredith, patisserie manager for the last 19 years, said the ruling had affected trade.
"The summer is our busiest time as customers love coming and sitting at our outside tables and chairs," she said.
"Now we see them waiting for those sitting at the tables to leave, or sitting on the benches in Festival Square waiting for a table to come free.
"We have always stacked away any tables not in use and there has never been any problems in the past. The tables are popular with our customers who have wheelchairs or mobility scooters because they are easily accessible."
Another trader who has been told to remove goods on the pavement is florist Wendy Hughes, who runs The Flower Gallery, on Bailey Street.
She says council inspectors said the floral displays outside her shop contravened new accessibility rules for blind and partially-sighted people.
Paul McGreary, Shropshire Council's head of business support and regulatory services, said: "Shropshire Council supports the safe use of pavement areas for businesses to display their products and create a café culture and provide a vibrant shopping experience.
"As part of the consideration of permitting the use of pavements pedestrian and road safety are of paramount concern – we need to ensure the pavement is still safely usable by pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues, visual impairment and pushchairs."
Jools Payne, the chairman of Oswestry Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber was extremely concerned about the effect such legislation could have on the town.
"Oswestry has a wonderful cafe culture and an attractive street scene. People visit the town not only to shop but to enjoy the atmosphere and surroundings," he said.
"It is a great shame this is happening, particularly just before our wonderful food festival, which attracts thousands of visitors."
