Dining rule takes bite out of bar trade

Alfresco dining outside two of the most popular bars on The Strand is taking a big hit because of what licensees say is a case of overkill by Tauranga City Council to improve security.
Coyote Bar and Restaurant and De Bier Haus-Bar and Restaurant have lost more than half their outdoor areas during some of their busiest trading times because of council's decision three weeks ago to re-route pedestrians away from the front of premises.
Starting from 4pm each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, barriers go up to direct pedestrians around the outside of the special licence-to-occupy areas.
The problem for De Bier Haus and Coyote Bar was that when council opposed spending $150,000 to remove concrete street furniture in order to accommodate the pedestrian clearway, it meant the path cut deeply into their outdoor areas. Other businesses along The Strand were less affected or not affected at all.
And while everyone agreed that eliminating late-night conflict between passersby and patrons had been successful since the trial started two weeks ago, De Bier Haus and Coyote say switching the clearway to the outside at 4pm was too early.
Coyote owner Riki Walls said it has lost nearly two-thirds of its alfresco dining area during a time of the day when there was never any trouble between passersby and patrons mingling along the front of the building.
It was a relaxed and more mature after-work and early evening dining crowd. He questioned the requirement to switch the clearway so early when 10.30pm would be more sensible - between the kitchen closing and the arrival of the young crowd before midnight.
Losing 64sq m of outdoor space meant he has been forced to cut staff hours, cancel Christmas functions and stop hiring an acoustic band.
Last Saturday, when The Strand was buzzing with the hot rod show, he had to move about 25 people out of their outdoor seats at 4pm.
"Alfresco dining is a major part of my business."
Mr Walls said the space restrictions imposed by the pedestrian clearway was punishing the wrong people, when all that was needed was a bit of flexibility.
There had been no problems with the old footpath arrangement during the early evening period of alfresco dining, so why not let it continue, he said.
Matt Haywood of De Bier Haus said 4pm was much too early and a lot of disgruntled people were being herded into an area that could not fit them.
He has invited councillors down at 4pm today and tomorrow to view the situation.
Mr Haywood said he would be doing everything he could to press his case, including to review the rental he paid for the outdoor area.
The Naked Grape has coped with the restriction by placing tables and chairs on the outside of the pedestrian clearway, and says that if everyone was allowed a bit of flexibility, common sense would prevail.
Mayor Stuart Crosby responded that he was waiting to hear back on his suggestion to Mr Walls that more space could be created after 4pm if bar owners were prepared to pay for the removal of concrete street furniture.
He defended the 4pm timing, saying council needed clear guidelines and not pedestrians zig-zagging all over the place.
If shifting the clearway at 4pm was having a significant effect on business, then the council was always open to discussions, he said.
Mr Crosby wanted to give the new arrangements a bit longer to bed in before the council took another look.
"I am flexible about giving them some more space."
However he struck a tough note, and said: "I see nothing coming from business and they are demanding everything from council and the community.
"The council is attempting to find a suitable balance for them to run a successful business as-well-as provide a safer environment for the public."
Council felt the best time to shift the clearway to the outside the licence-to-occupy areas was after lunch and before dinner.
"Imagine the chaos if everyone shifted over at 10.30pm."
Most other Strand bar owners were happy with the new rules, although several commented to the Bay of Plenty Times that placing the street furniture outside the special licensing areas was resulting in under-age intoxicated teens lounging and standing on the concrete seats and planters.