City’s pub furniture curfew set to be scrapped
A proposal to link the outdoor furniture licence with existing licensing laws looks set to be voted through at the city council meeting.
If city manager Joe Gavin signs off on the vote, it will mean publicans will have to remove customers from outdoor drinking areas by 11.30pm in summer and 11pm in winter. Late night venues and bars with extensions will be excluded from the licence.
An 11pm deadline will be imposed on bars outside the city centre. Talks to define that area have yet to take place.
The changes should be in place by January, when Cork becomes European Capital of Culture.
The proposal to scrap the 9pm curfew follows a two-month review of its operation by city council officials, top gardaí, the business sector, publicans and councillors.
The curfew, which forced drinkers from designated outdoor drinking areas from 9pm, was imposed by the council under Section 71 of the Roads Act 1993 following requests last June from the city’s top garda brass.
Chief Superintendent Ray McAndrew said he had real fears that outdoor pub furniture could be used as weapons. Publicans said the curfew was damaging the city’s European, café-style atmosphere.
Last night Kevin Donnelly, chairman of the Cork branch of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), welcomed moves to change the curfew. “With Cork being European Capital of Culture next year, this is a great opportunity for us to put our best foot forward,” he said. “The motion being put forward tonight is to be welcomed. It will allow citizens and the many tourists to enjoy the al-fresco ambiance on the city’s new European-style streets, especially during the summer.
But fears were raised that the move will make life hell for people living near pubs.
Green Party Cllr Chris O’Leary, who has been helping residents fight anti-social behaviour in his ward, said he would be voting against the proposal.
