Auckland Council Fast Tracks Street Trading Licences
An Alfresco Auckland Summer
In wake of the COVID-19 Delta outbreak in Auckland, Auckland Council has announced their intention to fast-track applications for new street trading licenses. This prioritization will also extend to businesses looking to extend an existing food-only outdoor dining license.
Applications for food-only outdoor licenses are free and will remain in place as long as the city is in Alert Level 2, 3 or 4.
Applications are now open and can be submitted through the Auckland Council website here.
Doing Business Outdoors
Summer 2021/2022 will be the Summer of business in the outdoors. Auckland Council has said they will take a pragmatic approach to bars, and restaurants using more space than normal to allow for increased social distancing among patrons.
There’s no doubt, the hospitality sector has been doing it tough. For bars and restaurants across the globe, outdoor dining has been a saving grace. It strikes the balance of keeping patrons safe while allowing hospitality businesses to remain open.
New Zealand Epidemiologist, Michael Baker says that it is now firmly established that the Delta variant is transmitted through the air. This makes ventilated areas like the outdoors “our friends” in minimising the risks of transmission.
Paris-style Street Dining comes to Auckland
Work is already underway to transform Auckland bars and restaurants into a street dining experience à la Paris. Auckland Council has been working closely with Auckland Transport to allow businesses to expand their outdoor seating.
Places like Paris, New York and London reclaimed streets for diners by closing off roads and allowing restaurants more sidewalk space for tables. Auckland looks to follow suit through the installation of temporary barriers on some one-way roads. Another idea put forward is to block a section of the lane along Ponsonby Road. These plans are still being finalised, but it is a good indication that street dining will play a significant role in keeping the hospitality sector going through Summer.
At Kelray, we have a close relationship with the hospitality sector. When restrictions begin to lift, we encourage Kiwis to get out and enjoy a safe, street dining experience. And if you look up, you may spot a Kelray Heater or two!