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Outdoor seating in Manchester to become smoke-free areas

Businesses in Manchester who are temporarily trading under a ‘pavement licence’ will now to have enforce a smoking ban in their outside seating areas.

The Manc - 5th August 2020

Businesses in Manchester who are temporarily trading under a ‘pavement licence’ will now have to enforce a smoking ban in their outside seating areas.

In the run up to July 4, when the hospitality industry was allowed to reopen, a series of measures were rapidly put in place in Manchester to allow businesses to trade on pavements and roads ahead of the legislation formally facilitating this.

And today it has been announced that Manchester City Council now require all businesses who are temporarily operating on the city’s pavements to ensure that their designated areas are smoke free.

Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods for Manchester City Council, said: “The introduction of outside seating for the hospitality sector has been a positive step over the past few weeks. We are seeing the public enjoy a degree of normality, and we are also seeing our businesses pick up following the devastating impact of the lockdown. Many have fed back that the additional provision has saved their business.

“However, we have not endured one health crisis to sleepwalk into another. We know that in Manchester there are still too many people smoking and we want to play our part to ensure that the city is a place where smoking is not a cultural norm.

“Smoking is not only terrible for our health but is also an unpleasant thing for bystanders to endure. I am sure that after months inside the last thing people want is a face full of smoke when trying to enjoy a meal or drink.

“It should be said that progress is being made although slower than we’d like to see. Between 2017 and 2019 the number of people aged 18 and over who smoked fell from 22% to 18%. But, this is still too far off the national average of 13%. We want to get to this target, and decrease it still further.”

In light of new Covid restrictions that were put in place across Greater Manchester on July 30, it is important to note that people are still able to go to pubs and restaurants with members of their household. For more information on the new guidelines, follow this link.

In line with the national guidance, you can continue to meet in public outdoor spaces in groups of no more than 6 people, unless the group includes only people from 2 households.

At all times, you should socially distance from people you do not live with – unless they are in your support bubble.

Please use this link for the latest Government advice on new restrictions in the North West.