Well-known pub on Dublin’s Drury Street fails to have outdoor seating licence renewed by council

The move will come as a blow to the many revellers and young people who socialise on the street in the evenings, particularly as summer approaches and the weather improves.

It means the outdoor area of the bar, which previously had seats, tables and stools, will no longer be available for customers to access.

The pub told the Irish Independent in a statement that it was “sad and disappointed” that their seating licence had not been renewed, adding that they were “attempting to engage” with the council on the matter.

"We will make no further comment on our particular situation out of courtesy to Dublin City Council (DCC), with whom we are attempting to engage to find a resolution that satisfies all stakeholders,” the statement reads.

A spokesperson for the council said they do not comment on individual outdoor seating licences.

"Dublin City Council has been actively engaged with businesses on Drury Street through a dedicated working group since last year, with the shared goal of improving and enhancing the street for businesses, residents and visitors alike,” they said.

The authority said it was “committed to supporting a thriving and vibrant business environment across the city”.

Outdoor seating licences, formally known as street furniture licences, are granted by DCC to businesses looking to put tables and chairs outside their premises.

They must be renewed annually if the business wishes to keep using outdoor furniture.

On the council’s website, they say outdoor seating areas must be enclosed by screens “approved by Dublin City Council” and that they must “ensure the public domain is safe and navigable for all citizens”.

A 1.8m circulation space must also be maintained on the footpath surrounding the seating space, with the authority warning that “it may not be possible to accommodate your application if this requirement cannot be met.”

Large numbers of people gather on Drury Street in pleasant weather, and footpaths are often blocked with large groups.

The street has been the subject of heated debate over the last few years, as the number of people socialising on the street in warm weather continues to climb.

Several retail businesses have complained that access to their premises is being curtailed by groups sitting on the kerb, with others pointing to the lack of outdoor spaces for young people to socialise in the city centre.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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