Cafe culture comes to Richmond but parking spaces are lost

12:30pm Monday 12th May 2008

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RICHMOND could soon be going continental, after councillors approved plans to encourage "a new cafe culture."

The King's Head Hotel has been granted planning permission to expand its seating area on to the cobbles on the Market Place, leading to the loss of four parking spaces.

At a meeting of Richmondshire District Council on Wednesday of last week, concern was raised over the loss of parking. But Coun Jim Fryer said people should learn to be less reliant on their cars, adding: "They need to be educated to the fact that they have legs, and that they can use them to walk."

Under the plans, which will be introduced for a four-month trial period over the next fortnight, about ten small tables with umbrellas will be placed on roped-off platforms outside the King's Head.

Ten letters of objection were received from members the public, who were concerned about safety and loss of parking.

Coun Ken Lambert said: "I think it's a brilliant idea, but I worry a precedent will be set. Other establishments will want to do the same, and more parking space will be lost."

But Coun Fryer said: "This development will be great for Richmond - someone has got to do something to help this town.

"The parking issue is important, but we could easily make some changes. For example, buses could drop people off near the King Street roundabout rather than clogging up the square, and people will just have to walk a bit further.

"In this day and age, we should be trying to get people out of their cars more."

Kay Alexander, general manager at the hotel, said she was delighted with the result. "We've been planning for this for a year, and we can't wait to get started," she said.

"If other establishments follow suit it can only be a good thing - the more the merrier. The square will be more attractive with a great atmosphere, and people will want to spend more time here.

"It will be great to get our Market Place back as a market, rather than just a car park."