Uptown Saint John Pleased To See Patio Fees Waived
SAINT JOHN – The uptown’s business improvement agency is pleased with the decision to waive fees for patios and sidewalk cafés.
Uptown Saint John had approached Common Council about waiving the fees last year, but the city’s impending $10-million deficit in 2020 prevented them from approving the change.
The funding for the program will come from the city’s ENCORE program, which earmarks funds to help rejuvenate the local economy following the Covid-19 pandemic slowdown.
“We know the capacity of the restaurants is much lower due to the (pandemic) health regulations, and people are preferring to be outside,” said Nancy Tissington, Uptown Saint John’s executive director.
So far, Tissington said she’s heard from three businesses that are now looking into building a patio for the first time due to the change.
Overall, she believes the local restaurant and bar industries are appreciative of the city’s support.
“It shows acknowledgment that the restaurant sector has been hit quite hard,” she said. “They were just very pleased that (Common Council) is giving a nod over to the restaurant sector.”
Tissington added that she was happy to see the city did not continue the Open Streets program this year, after complaints from business owners that the event didn’t lead to a sustained increase in traffic.
Ben Burnett is a reporter with Country 94/97.3 The Wave in Saint John, Huddle content partners.