Cafe culture coming to Peebles

David O'Leary • Published 3 Feb 2012 09:30 1 Comment

A PEEBLES pub wants to bring a splash of cafe culture to the town's High Street.

The County Inn has lodged an application with Scottish Borders Council which, if approved, will allow for outdoor seating and tables.

The bid will be decided in-house at council headquarters later this month. But the alfresco application isn't winning favour with everyone.

Peebles Community Council chair David Pye said: "I have severe reservations about this proposal. In principal I support it, but there will have to be clear assurances regarding the siting of any tables and chairs and exact timings of when it will be allowed.

"Every town you travel through in France or Italy has such a set-up and it's wonderful to sit out and enjoy a coffee in the sunshine - however, that is the cold side of the High Street.

"The flip side is whether this will encourage loud, yobbish behaviour from drunken individuals.

"It's a little concerning that we as a community council haven't been consulted on this issue. I hope that the council put some clear thought into this issue."

The council's technical services department will prepare a report to go before its director to either be signed off or refused.

It is understood that approval is being recommended subject to conditions.

County Inn manager Gary Haizlewood said: "We won't tolerate any yobbish behaviour, I think this would make a nice addition to the High Street and I'm hopeful that we will get the go-ahead.

"The pavement is more than wide enough. At a bar I previously managed in Edinburgh, all tables and chairs had to be in by 9pm but of course, we are in the hands of the council on the matter."

The Belhaven owned bar closed for several weeks last year to allow for a £250,000 refurbishment and now faces clear competition from The Cross Keys, after UK-chain Wetherspoon's submitted plans to renovate and re-open the Northgate pub.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 03 Feb 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  bill3459
  15 posts
  Feb 10, 13:00
  Report comment

  One artical in the paper says peebles high street doing well. Next artical says County hotel wants to go alfresco why not if it brings people out to spend some extra cash let them get on with it . Mr Pye as an outsider to Peebles you seem to have your finger in to many pies . Stand aside and lets get the town back on the map not with cant do's But with we can try that if it does not work at least we tryed it
  
  Recommend?   Yes 8     No 0

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