With the reopening of Waterford's economy, some city centre eateries are hoping for a different approach to dining this summer.
A number of cafe owners want to see designated outdoor dining areas in the city centre.
The call comes as there is still no restart date for indoor dining in restaurants and cafes.
Peter Fowler from the Granary Cafe says parts of the city would be well suited to the measure: "The pandemic is such that I believe that every city and small town really should be concentrating on hubs around the city, totally and utterly administered by the council. They will be there when the pandemic is over."
These outdoor dining hubs should be located across the city's pedestrianised areas, he added, with his own area around Hanover and O'Connell Street in a good position to benefit. "You've the Granary Cafe, the lovely Couch Cafe opposite, the Phoenix Yard Market, which has about 3 or 4 offerings in there, and now down from that you have a new pizza and an Asian food offering. So that's nine of us here," said Peter.
"Now take that concept up further around the Viking Triangle, the Apple Market area, or on the Quay."
Aisling Kelly at The Tuckaway Cafe in Arundel Square
Aisling Kelly, who reckons she runs one of the oldest cafes in town with The Tuckaway Cafe in Arundel Square, believes it would also be worthwhile to pursue such a plan.
"Looking at the way trade was going last year, everybody has essentially had to sit outdoors," she told WLR. "I was in Kilkenny, by Dunne Stores, and they've a fabulous idea done with hexagonal tables . I think it's something that most definitely should be looked at and really, it's something that we should do here. We should avail of all the empty space to go around."
The Council has said previously that it has to contend with finding the balance between using the available public space and ensuring that any new arrangements also don't discommode others, including people with disabilities.
"We have done everything else," Peter Fowler said. "Each individual cafe and restaurant is applying on their own behalf for their version for what they see as suits themselves for outdoor seating. But the ultimate one surely is half a dozen hubs located throughout the city. They could be centrally administered and we would be left with them when this pandemic is over."
