Pubs, cafes and other businesses are to be allowed to put extra seating outside when they reopen later this summer.

Cornwall Council has said it will ease planning restrictions for the remainder of 2020, which means businesses could potentially extend out into the street where it is safe to do so. 

The new rules are part of the council’s Covid-19 recovery strategy and are designed to help business recover from lockdown and to serve the public safely.

Extra outdoor seating will be allowed unless it poses a risk to public safety and will be reviewed according to the latest government advice regarding lockdown rules.

The government's Covid-19 recovery strategy states that hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants must remain closed until July 4 at the earliest.

When they do reopen there are likely to be strict rules in place about social distancing and at the beginning, at least, a prominence on outdoor seating.

Takeaway food businesses that have already been allowed to be open are still not permitted to provide outside seating to customers at this current time.

Rob Nolan, portfolio holder for the environment and public safety, said: “I am really pleased that the council are thinking ahead on this.

"An awful lot of businesses have taken a huge financial hit during lockdown and will want to reopen just as soon as they are allowed to do so.

"Of course, this can only be done if it is safe to do so.

"Relaxing rules on outdoor seating will help businesses to serve the public whilst keeping them as safe as it is possible to do so."

It means businesses can now add furniture outside their usual boundary can do so without fear of enforcement action.

However, to do so they must still make sure that the furniture maintains social distancing rules and does not put the public at risk, for example by making them step onto a road or threaten their safety in any other way.