Guernsey Press

Quay restaurants ready for al fresco dining

THE Town Quay al fresco dining trial is set to start this week, with at least four local restaurants taking part.

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Owner of Balthazar Steve Le Poidevin with his dog Gary, ahead of the opening of al fresco dining on the Quay. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 29760802)

The joint initiative between government and local businesses aims to support the hospitality sector, local economy and explore how areas of St Peter Port’s seafront can enhance use of the public space. The al fresco dining will be in the area between the Crown Pier crossing and Mora Restaurant, with a new walkway provided along part of the unloading bay, ensuring that there will be no impact on traffic flow in the area.

Balthazar, Pingquay, Mora and Delizia (formerly Gusto) are all putting out tables as part of the experiment.

Balthazar owner Steve Le Poidevin said his restaurant would have tables set up today. His team plan on putting out 10 to 12 tables for outdoor diners.

‘It will increase our number of covers we can do significantly.

‘It is an awesome idea and a great collaboration between the hospitality industry and the States.

‘We believe we can keep the outdoor tables there even in mildly bad weather as we have umbrellas and awnings to ensure outside customers will stay under cover.

‘It is such an opportunity and something that has been missing from the area.

‘We’d like to see it become a permanent feature on the front – small steps now and we will see if people like it and support it and maybe the island can look at something bigger.’

To distinguish the temporary walkway, and to act as a safety barrier for pedestrians, planters will be used along the edge of the northbound carriageway with small areas of road to make it easier for people, buggies, wheelchairs and mobility scooters to navigate.

The trial will run through to 31 October.