Overstrand puts Seats on Streets

Writer De Waal Steyn

The Overstrand is pulling out all the stops to make the coming summer season a success for local businesses, while at the same time ensuring that lockdown restrictions are adhered to.

“In a bid to afford restaurants the ability to welcome more guests while adhering to social distancing protocols, we are launching the Seats on the Streets campaign,” said Mayor Dudley Coetzee. The campaign will allow restaurants to apply for permission to seat customers on pavements and other public areas, thereby creating more space and seating while ensuring the safety of customers. This arrangement will be applicable to all towns in the Overstrand.

Photo: Hedda Mittner

“It is expected that the campaign will be approved at the next council meeting on 25 November. It will be proposed that for the period 16 December to 17 January restaurants will not be charged rental by the municipality for the extra space. It will also be proposed that should it be successful the Seats on the Streets campaign will be extended to 5 April (Easter Monday) next year,” Coetzee said.

“From the council’s side, this campaign is aimed at assisting businesses to cope with the burden that the Covid-19 pandemic has heaped upon them. In addition, the council has agreed that no rent will be collected from restaurants that make use of property belonging to the municipality for the period that they could not trade due to lockdown restrictions,” he said.

Frieda Lloyd, Tourism Manager for the Cape Whale Coast, said the campaign would contribute to an even more festive and relaxed atmosphere during the holiday season. “All businesses in the area are under severe financial strain and the time has come for us to think of new and innovative ways in which to attract customers while keeping them safe.

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