A stunning new Garden Bar has replaced a road outside a new Southport hotel.
The innovative new attraction is situated directly outside the new Lord Street Hotel and the adjacent Punch Tarmey’s bar. They are both operated by Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group, which also owns the Bold Hotel on the other side of Lord Street.
A spokesman for the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group said: “We are so excited to announce our new garden bar at The Lord Street Hotel!
“Since the recent opening of our Prosecco Bar and Roof Terrace, the demand for seating in the recent weather has blown us away.
“Between our new Garden Area and our revamped Bar area, we cannot wait to introduce visitors and locals alike, to our new area. We look forward to seeing you soon!”
The firm has gained permission from Sefton Council to use the Court Road service road which runs adjacent to Lord Street to suspend use by cars and the parking bays there and instead cover the road with artificial grass and benches.
The new measure will help the businesses as the build back trade following the coronavirus pandemic, while also allowing customers to social distance – and to enjoy sitting outside in the sunshine and enjoying the views of one of the North West’s most beautiful streets.
It is part of a growing trend among Southport businesses to create new outdoor seating areas as they bounce back from the Covid lockdown.
The new Garden Bar outside the Lord Street Hotel and Punch Tarmey’s bar on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Southport BID last week welcomed new measures which will make the provision of outdoor seating outside local businesses much easier.
Sefton Council has now adopted a new temporary pavement licence process under its Pavement Café Policy.
This new streamlined consent route will allow restaurants, cafés, bars and other establishments to obtain a licence to place temporary furniture such as tables and chairs outside quickly and for a fee of no more than £100.
Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “We welcome any support that Sefton Council is able to give to local businesses in order to attract more customers and income at this crucial time in their recovery.
“With social distancing rules firmly in place, these new measures will also help to provide a safe environment for people to sit outside and enjoy themselves.
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“With this news arriving during Shop Local Week, the timing for our levy payers is perfect.
“It also comes at a time when we are seeing restaurants, cafés and bars locally becoming very busy thanks to the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, with more than 100 venues in our town taking part.
“I would urge everyone in Southport to enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the great offers and Shop Local to support our local businesses.”
Sefton Council made the decision to make outdoor seating easier and quicker for firms due to its appreciation that the hospitality sector has been particularly hard hit by the restrictions put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new Garden Bar outside the Lord Street Hotel and Punch Tarmey’s bar on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
With many businesses now back open again after months of closure, due to limited space and to implement the Government’s social distancing measures, many cafes, restaurants and bars may wish to use outdoor seating areas to allow customers to safely sit and eat and drink.
The temporary measures can be extended up to the end of September 2021, with no requirement for planning permission during this period. The measures also provide automatic extensions to the terms of on-sales alcohol licences to allow for off-sales.
For more information on the application and how to apply visit: www.sefton.gov.uk/parking,-roads-travel/temporary-pavement-licence.aspx
Government guidance (Business and Planning Bill 2020).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pavement-licences-draft-guidance
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