They have also approved a two-year lease-free period for those wishing to take up the alternative dining option and seat patrons outside the front of their eateries.

The draft Footpath Trading Policy is now on exhibition and recognises the rewards of footpath trading, while focusing on the need to ensure safe access for pedestrians and shoppers –including those with prams and wheelchairs.

If approved, the policy will apply to all applications for footpath trading on roads or in public places (land other than a road) within the local government area.

A $90 fee is proposed to cover the costs associated with council assessing each application in accordance with the Roads Act, 1993.

The owner of Munkee Skins café, Zeb McGinniskin, says he will definitely be offering the popular dining option to his customers.

“Having seating outside not only gives customers a choice but it also increases our capacity,” he says.

“Our shopfront, with its tinted windows, tends to blend in with the rest of the building so having diners outside will also increase our visibility.”

The entrance, to his relatively new business, opens onto John Street but is also a part of the Gowrie Street Mall.

Mr McGinniskin says he was not aware the draft policy had been released but after previous discussions with council believes the widened footpath will allow him to place tables and chairs safely outside his shop.

He welcomes the lease–free period but deems it “necessary” considering the loss of income the construction work involved with the Town Centre Revitalisation Project has caused.

“In reality compared to the income lost, it is not a big concession but something is better than nothing.”

Many John Street retailers have reported a 50-to-30 per cent drop in daily takings since the start of the project.

Singleton Council’s director planning and sustainable environment group Mark Ihlein says the policy aims to assist in activating the street, while retaining appropriate pedestrian circulation paths.

“As sections of the John Street revitalisation reach completion, it was important we establish a framework of standards for street trading within the improved, and largely wider, footpath area,” he says.

“The lease-free period is to encourage traders to explore street trading options and free up capital to perhaps invest in outdoor furniture.”

The draft Footpath Trading Policy will be on exhibition until Monday, May 25, and is available to view at council’s Customer Service Centre, Singleton Library and on council’s website www.singleton.nsw.gov.au

Written submissions can made to The General Manager, Singleton Council, PO Box 314 Singleton, NSW 2330 or emailed to ssc@singleton.nsw.gov.au