Adelaide City Council to trial outdoor dining on King William St
The city’s main thoroughfare is expected to welcome outdoor dining along its length for the first time.
Adelaide City Council is trialling outdoor dining along a 600m stretch of busy King William St from Victoria Square to North Tce, as part of its ambition to increase the city’s vibrancy.
Sarah Stephens & Bernadette Kwasny outside the Ambassador Hotel on King William (Photo:Campbell Brodie)
The northern end of King William St remains the only major CBD road without outdoor dining.
The trial, which has been operating since November, allows furniture to be placed next to a building along the street, which dissects the centre of the CBD, instead of on the kerb.
The review will assess impacts on pedestrians and commuters waiting at bus stops. Screens will protect the diners.
Three businesses involved include the newly opened Jamie’s Italian restaurant, the Ambassador Hotel and Bean Bar coffee shop while officials hope more will apply. Up until now, different factors have prevented outdoor dining including it being a ceremonial street — due to its historical significance — and a 1905 policy, called In Respect of Good Rule of Government, which prevents obstruction of footpaths.
Under the obscure law, the council can declare any road a Ceremonial Street based on its footpath width or the grandeur of buildings such as Parliament House, the Adelaide Town Hall or the GPO.
North Tce is the only other ceremonial street but fewer pedestrians has allowed outdoor dining. The reforms, backed by the Royal Society for the Blind, respected city traditions, according to Sean McNamara, the council’s city safety manager.
He said the “important trial on one of our ceremonial streets” would gauge if the popular outdoor dining practice impacted on the street’s functionality. “Council’s revised outdoor dining policy lets us be more flexible and is really recognising that people have changing expectations in the way they experience and enjoy their modern cities,” he said.
Restaurant and Catering SA deputy chief executive Sally Neville added: “It is about time.”
The trial will conclude at the end of summer before a feasibility report is prepared for the council.
Friends Sarah Stephens and Bernadette Kwasny yesterday enjoyed a drink outside at the Ambassador Hotel on King William St.
“I think it’s a great idea, it brings more people into the city. It attracts more people and brings the city up to date on a social aspect,” Ms Stephens said.
Source : The Advertiser Andrew Hough January 28th 2015
