City to fast-track permits for temporary restaurant patios

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This article was published 04/03/2021 (1656 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’ll be easier for Winnipeg businesses to set up a temporary patio again this year, something a local pizzeria owner expects will help pandemic-struck restaurants survive.

On Thursday, the City of Winnipeg announced it will provide an expedited process to grant temporary patio permits, which it also did last year, to help businesses offset pandemic losses.

After being approved, businesses would be able to operate outdoor dining sites from April 1 to Oct. 31. Each patio requires a new registration for the season, regardless of whether a previous temporary permit was obtained.

“As restaurants are forced to navigate the many challenges caused by this pandemic, we recognize that it is important we continue to work with business owners on finding ways for them to safely operate within the province’s public health guidelines,” said Jason Shaw, Winnipeg’s assistant chief of emergency management. “The temporary patio registration program offers an expedited process for businesses to register their patios with the city and operate under established safety guidelines.”

The process to get a permanent Winnipeg patio permit typically takes weeks but a temporary application can be completed in a few days, the city says.

Last year, more than 60 businesses registered to operate temporary patios.

One local restaurant owner said he expects it will make a major difference for some restaurants, as the pandemic continues to limit their capacity.

“In this situation… anything that can help restaurants would be welcome, especially a very good idea like temporary patios,” said Alfonso Maury, owner of Corrientes Argentine Pizzeria. “Those (businesses) that are still alive, we need to recover.”

Maury said his restaurant has had a permanent patio for years, so he hasn’t needed to apply for a temporary permit. He said his own outdoor seating was critical to getting through last year, noting restaurants faced 50 per cent capacity limits during the summer.

“I can tell you without a patio, it would be very tough. Last year, we were working with 50 per cent capacity, our patio would sit 40 people … It helped us just to keep the business alive,” he said.

Meanwhile, the benefit may not pay off year-round.

While the city attempted to carry over the patio season into this winter, with Nov. 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 temporary permits available, there was little uptake.

Shaw said just three businesses signed up for the winter permits, which were of little use once code-red restrictions forced restaurants to close to in-person dining for a second time in November.

“The second wave of the pandemic was impactful and, unfortunately, the public health orders changed,” Shaw said.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga