Calls to address ‘grey area’ surrounding outdoor dining furniture in Westport

COUNCILLORS from West Mayo have called for clarity regarding the regulations governing outdoor dining spaces in Westport.

The monthly meeting of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District heard that Mayo County Council has issued letters to local businesses ordering them to remove outdoor dining furniture which was installed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many businesses received grants to install temporary outdoor dining furniture during the pandemic, when indoor dining was illegal for lengthy periods.

The meeting heard that Westport businesses made between 36 and 38 applications for outdoor dining furniture grants, all of which were successful.

Businesses in the Ballina area were issued with similar letters ordering the removal of outdoor dining furniture in the past year.

Cllr Peter Flynn said that the county council should be trying to facilitate people who wish to install outdoor dining spaces.

Highest rates

“It’s all very grey at the moment. We’re paying some of the highest rates in Connacht right now, except for Galway,” the Fine Gael councillor said.

His remarks were supported by Cllr Brendan Mulroy, who called for ‘joined up thinking’ between the council and businesses using outdoor dining furniture.

“The last thing we want is a regulation closing down a business and putting people under pressure. We should be there to help them,” said Cllr Mulroy.

“People are very stressed at this moment in time. Summer has been - it’s been okay, but it hasn’t been brilliant for people.”

Both Cllr Mulroy and Cllr Flynn requested that the council host a workshop on the matter.

Jim Power, Acting Head of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, said he would welcome a workshop on the matter.

Cllr Mulroy told The Mayo News that the municipal district should have its own bylaws surrounding outdoor dining furniture.