Expanded patios at restaurants could become permanent fixtures

For many restaurants and small businesses, creating or extending their patios was the only way to keep them afloat during the pandemic. It became a common thing in the downtown area, when restaurants would have their patios on the sidewalks of parking lots near their establishments.

These new additions helped businesses welcome customers, while continuing to adhere to capacity restrictions.

Due to the success of the expansions, a motion was passed at Kitchener's City Council meeting Monday night, to extend the patios past January 2022. That is when relaxed regulations from the Alcohol and Gaming Comission of Ontario (AGCO) are set to expire.

Paul Singh, Ward 6 councillor, was the one that brought the motion forward and was met with mutual support from everyone at the meeting.

Singh appeared on The Mike Farwell show on CityNews 570 on Tuesday and said these patios were crucial in the long-term success for the businesses.

“Some of the relief that AGCO provided in allowing for outdoor patios just made sense,” said Singh. “It provided a safer environment and allowed for capacity increase which was desperately needed.”

Singh also noted that these patios added a lively feel to the downtown area which is something that has been sought after for some time now. He also said that with these new relaxed regulations, he sees a potential of more freedom being allowed in regards to alcohol consumption while in public.

Not only did the downtown area thrive with the new patios but small restaurants also benefited from the makeshift additions.

“There's extra space on sidewalks downtown but without the change, we would have never been able to support places like Belmont Village,” said Singh.

In the past there was a requirement of a four-foot fence to border the patios to keep people from leaving the patio with alcohol. Now the rules have become more lax, stating that there needs to be a clear division of where the patio starts and ends. That could done with paint markings on the ground, paving stones or flower pots.

“Relaxation of the rules would allow people to go from restaurant to restaurant and enjoy their drink at the same time,” said Singh. “I think that's what we need to do as the municipality in advocating these types of changes so that we can continue on supporting a small business.”

The motion was unanimously approved but still needs the stamp of approval from the province before it will be put into effect.