City chiefs accused of profiteering over charges for alfresco dining

PUB and restaurant bosses today accused council chiefs of "profiteering" after it emerged that more than £200,000 has been raked in from charges for outside tables and chairs.

They say that the increasing cost of operating "pavement cafes" threatens to kill off continental-style alfresco dining in Edinburgh.

Income from charges for permits for pavement tables and chairs has more than trebled in the last four years – despite the number of permits only increasing marginally.

In the year up to April, businesses paid the city council 224,670 in charges for their outdoor permits, compared to 69,052 in 2006-7.

The number of permits only increased by five, to 237. The income generated by permits in Edinburgh is 23 times the amount raised in Glasgow.

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said: "I think it is profiteering and it is a concern that revenue has tripled in only three or four years without an adequate explanation from the council.

"Most would expect any income to cover the cost of operating the permits, but it seems to be a lot more than that.

"Edinburgh has a lot of tourists and you would think that the council would want to encourage this type of thing.

"Most operators will take the view that they already pay business rates and licensing fees and this is just an extra cost they really don't need."

The council charges 85 per square metre in the world heritage site for a full-year licence, or 65 per sq m outside of it.

The tables and chairs are permitted until 9pm, with an extension to 10pm available for an additional 150 fee.

It means that a premises within the world heritage site looking to provide tables and chairs for an average-sized space until 10pm would have to pay 341.25 a year.

Malcolm Duck, chairman of the Edinburgh Restaurateurs' Association, said: "The amount of money they have raised is absolutely scandalous.

"I know of a number of people that don't have tables and chairs outside because of the cost – it puts them off."

He said more needs to be done to encourage the alfresco dining culture – including reducing the cost of permits and more flexibility about the hours that pavement tables and chairs are allowed.

"If they want visitors in the city they need to think about this," he said. "Could you imagine being asked in Paris or in Greece to leave your table because it is nine or ten o'clock?

"If they want a continental Edinburgh then they need to consider these types of things. If we're trying to be a European capital city then outside dining has to be encouraged."

A spokeswoman for the city council said: "The city has a growing cafe culture and having tables and chairs outside premises enhances an area, especially during the summer months.

"The number of businesses applying for permits has increased and we have helped bars and cafes through the tough financial climate by freezing the price of permits over the last three years. The money raised helps to pay for the enforcement of the scheme."