Spalding can have the same cafe culture as Louth
Traders have been urged to ‘go for it’ and try to recreate Louth’s cafe culture for residents in Spalding.
Businesses in the town have been encouraged to apply for pavement licences so that they can sell food and drink in the street.
In recent weeks, Coun Rodney Grocock pointed to the example of Louth, where a cafe culture has been embraced by the town, and urged Spalding to follow suit.
In Louth, which sits at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds and has about half the population of Spalding, traders have got permission to shut off the Cornmarket to traffic from 10am until 5pm on non-market days.
The space is then filled with tables and chairs for al fresco drinking and dining – before returning to parking for the evening.
Gary Denniss, chairman of Louth Independent Traders, told the people of Spalding: “Go for it.”
He added: “It’s immensely popular, although obviously it’s weather dependent.
“This is what people want. They want to interact with each other, they want to sit out and have a coffee. It’s worked fantastically.”
Readers reacted positively to the prospect of following in Louth’s footsteps (see right).
Mr Denniss said it was not an expensive project – but just some ‘hard work’ and collaboration between traders and councillors.
They also put the plan out to the public – and it met with a resoundingly positive response.
He said: “We have tried to make everybody happy and it has worked.
“It’s all about people working together.”
Pavement licences are currently available from Lincolnshire County Council for free.
They’ve been backed as a way to help traders to be able to operate during lockdown restrictions – and to boost the atmosphere in the town after a tough year.
The Red Lion Hotel, in Market Place, has already offered the sort of outdoor seating that people would like to see – and there are some outdoor tables at Penningtons cafe in Red Lion Street.
Penningtons owner Anna Avery said she had been pleasantly surprised by the amount of customers they had attracted.
She said: “It’s like being in a European city. It’s lovely to sit out and watch the world go by.
“Everybody is just so thrilled about coming out – it’s really surprised us.
“Even when you can be back inside, some people might be happier outside.”
She said she would love to see Spalding embrace a cafe culture, adding: “The more the merrier.”
Lincolnshire County Council says anyone wanting to apply for a pavement licence should visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/licences-permits/apply-street-cafe-stall-licence
Readers have their say on cafe culture
Readers would relish a
‘cafe culture’ in Spalding – and urged the town to learn from Louth.
We asked readers on our Facebook page if they agreed with the suggestion from Coun Rodney Grocock that the town could embrace a continental atmosphere of outdoor dining and drinking.
Stewart Elderkin said: “Yes. Spalding could learn A LOT from places like Louth.”
Debbie Lyon wrote: “Yes definitely! Stamford also has a great cafe culture with many cafes and bars having tables out on the street. It creates a great atmosphere!”
Susan Foyster said: “Visited Louth last week on business and had coffee and cake outside. The town was packed, the market was in full swing but loads of chairs and tables outside cafes and pubs. Everyone was observing the social distancing and mask rules. It was great and we should be making more of our own urban open spaces in Spalding, Holbeach and the other towns and villages. All spring and summer too and not just during the present emergency.”
Christine Lockey wrote: “Yes totally agree. Bring the towns alive again, lovely to be able to sit outside enjoy the fresh air. Also to enjoy a coffee, tea, drink.”
Jenny Crunkhorn said: “Agree about Louth Rodney Grocock. Sat outside at a small cafe for a snack and a drink last week, very friendly atmosphere.”
Several readers said moving the market stalls would free up space for outdoor drinks and food in Market Place.
Paula Tibbs said: “The council need to compact the market to the ‘Boots’ end of the market place, which will look so much better than having it spread out all over. This will allow The Red Lion to open up on market days too! A great opportunity here to make the market place more inviting. Move the market stalls!”
However, Rik Garner wrote: “The bigger picture of the town’s anti social issues within the centre needs addressing first, then we can all sit outside and enjoy al fresco.
“Towns like Louth or Stamford to name but two suffer very little in the way of pavement cycling or street drinking so to look to them as good examples mean we must match them on all aspects. Sadly our authorities keep failing us. A great idea but work to be done.”
