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16
Dec 2020
Council rejects Harrogate Blues Bar's road closure bid
The Blues Bar, on Montpellier Parade, was forced to remove the tables and chairs from the Stray earlier this year and thought this could be the solution.
Simon and Sharon Colgan are the owners of The Blues Bar and The Empress.
North Yorkshire County Council has rejected a Harrogate bar's bid to close the road outside for outdoor tables and chairs.
The Blues Bar, on Montpellier Parade, was forced to remove the tables and chairs from the Stray earlier this year and thought this could be the solution.
However, the county council said the closure of Montpellier Parade would cause issues for emergency vehicles, Montpellier Square car park and deliveries.
Read more:
- Blues Bar denied permission to keep tables on the Stray
- More than 2,000 call for council to leave tables
Although Montpellier Parade is a highway it still forms part of the Stray, which is covered by a 1985 Act of Parliament. In September when the issue of closing the road was raised the Stray Defence Association reminded those involved that using any part of the Stray for commercial gain may contravene the act.
However Melisa Burnham, the highways area manager at the county council, said it had been rejected because of access:
"Following site visits and consultation with the emergency services and adjoining businesses we could not recommend the closure of Montpellier Parade.
"However, the Blues Bar does have additional space on the pavement outside for tables and chairs. We have provided support by suspending parking bays so they can be used by pedestrians.
"We are doing all we can to support hospitality and retail businesses in these difficult times, and all measures are under constant review.
"The site visits confirmed that there would not be enough space to accommodate additional tables and chairs whilst allowing space for emergency vehicles to pass.
"The road is one-way from Parliament Street to Montpellier Hill. A closure would prevent access to Montpellier Square car park, delivery areas and the well-used loading bays."
The Blues Bar is still able to use the parking bays immediately outside and hopes to be able to use the Stray again when the weather improves next year.
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