Support floods in to keep Greenbank cafe’s outdoor seating

When Covid-19 was at its peak, hospitality venues across the city embraced outdoor spaces and created outside seating options so people could enjoy dining al fresco.

However the legislation, which was introduced in July 2020, has since been discontinued by the government, which means eateries will have to take away their outdoor seating and tables.

Cafe 5, which opened two years ago on Bruce Road, certainly made the most of the legislation and has taken over two car parking spaces with four tables at the front of the converted shipping container.

Cafe 5 in Greenbank certainly made the most of the legislation and has taken over two car parking spaces with four tables – photo: Rachel Sutherland

In the summer months people flocked to the Greenbank cafe to have some much-needed socialisation and to enjoy free live music events from local artists in the sunshine.

This legislation allowed for this to happen as it permitted councils to use temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to support outdoor hospitality, permitting tables and chairs to be set up in parking bays. But this legislation no longer exists.

Catalina Banados, who has spent over 25 years working as a chef and in the culinary industry, runs the shared cafe where “everyone is welcome” with two women who run Cibomatto Bristol and work on alternate days to her. She said without the outdoor seating it would be “very difficult for the business to survive”.

Catalina, who is originally from Chile, added: “It’s a very small place and we want to do everything we can with it.

“Instead of having two cars parked up there, we have created a fantastic atmosphere, especially in the summer – it’s the perfect time for our business, everyone is outside enjoying the sunshine.

“We had lots of local musicians who were so happy to play because they hadn’t had any opportunities during lockdown.

“If the seating is taken away from us it’s going to have a big impact on the business. It’s not just us, it’s other local businesses too which are going to suffer.”

A couple of months ago Catalina and the women behind Cibomatto Bristol applied for a permit to continue serving customers outside. But Catalina said “the council got back and said it wouldn’t be possible.”

Catalina Banados, who has spent over 25 years working as a chef and in the culinary industry, runs the shared cafe where “everyone is welcome” – photo: Rachel Sutherland

Catalina, who has called Bristol home for the last 23 years, said the cafe not only brings people together but helps with bringing about an element of safety in the community.

“If there are less cars and more people around, cars are going to slow down.

“Some kids have to go home from school on their own and I think for parents they feel comfort knowing that this is a safer road for them to cross with us here.

“With more families and people around, people generally feel safer and it helps to prevent antisocial behaviour too, ” She added.

Green councillor, Barry Parsons has launched an online petition to save the cafe which has to this date gained 1,040 signatures. Parsons says the support “shows how loved this little cafe really is”.

He continued: “The outdoor seating has turned this corner of Greenbank by the railway path into a friendly, buzzing social space for everyone to enjoy.

“Without it, we’ll lose the cafe and all the benefits it brings to the neighbourhood.

“Since I started the petition, the council have come up with some suggestions on how to save this space, such as extending the pavement. But this will take time and money, and we need them to act so that the cafe seating isn’t lost in the meantime.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Catalina Banados (@catacolours)

Parson said, as far as he is aware, there is nothing which says the council must take enforcement action now, and believes the council should hold off on this.

Catalina called the support online “incredible” and said “Things have been very up and down but I feel positive about it.

“I can feel people are listening and something good is going to happen soon.”

Councillor Barry Parsons has launched an online petition to save the cafe which has to this date gained 1,040 signatures – photo: Rachel Sutherland

A spokesperson from Bristol City Council said officers are in contact with the owner of the cafe to discuss options to keep the outdoor seating.

They said: “Under temporary legislation introduced by the government in July 2020, the council was able to change areas of the carriageway around the city, such as parking bays, into footways to make them eligible for a pavement licence.

“These temporary changes to the carriageway expired in October last year and the temporary legislation used to make the changes ceased in April 2021, so no new Traffic Orders can now be produced without new powers being granted by Westminster.

“Officers are in touch with the owner of the cafe to discuss potential avenues, which include approaching their Area Committee of councillors for funding to build out the footway making it wide enough for tables and chairs.

“Conversations remain ongoing between the mayor’s office and our highways and legal officers to identify whether there are any further options.

“We have produced a ‘useful information to support your business’ booklet which outlines the wide range of support available to businesses from across the council and partner organisations.

“To keep up to date with the latest business support, services and opportunities from the council and partner organisations, we strongly recommend signing up to the weekly business newsletter.”

Main photo: Cafe 5

Read next:

• Decision to replace restaurant tables with parking bays is ‘soul destroying’ 
• New cafe opens next to Bristol Bus Station 
• El Colmado to close original shop before moving to new home 
• New cafe serving ‘refined’ British food opening 

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: