GRAND PLANS to pedestrianise another street in Oxford have been unveiled by the council.
North Parade Avenue in North Oxford is the latest road in the city to be made car-free so that restaurants and cafes have room for outdoor seating.
In the summer, Oxford City Council piloted the same idea at George Street, Cornmarket Street and St Michael’s Street in the city centre and Broad Street, Dawson Street and Observatory Street.
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In Tier 2, people cannot socialise indoors with anybody who is not from their household or bubbles.
However, the Rule of Six applies to people meeting up outside – meaning groups of six can eat at restaurants if they sit outside.
From next week these seven businesses will have space for outdoor diners:
• Barefoot Bakery
• Burrito Valley
• Jee Saheb
• Little Venice Pizzeria
• The Rabbit Hole
• The Rose and Crown
• Viny’s Café
Diners can choose to sit outside between the hours of 10am until 6pm between Sunday and Thursday and 10am until 7pm on Friday and Saturday.
The road will be closed using an Experimental Road Traffic Order and new gates will be installed next week to protect the seating area.
Additional space will be made by moving 11 bike racks further along the road to replace two car parking spaces.
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The idea was requested by the North Parade Residents and Traders Association and given the nod by Oxfordshire County Council and local councillors.
North Parade will initially be closed for 18-months and if it goes well could be made permanent.
Most of the pedestrianisation projects have been funded using the Government’s Reopening High Streets Safely Fund or the City Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy.
Councillor Mary Clarkson (pictured), the cabinet member for City Centre, Covered Market and Culture, said: “Businesses and residents in North Parade approached us to pedestrianise the street to provide space for outdoor dining, and I am delighted that we have been able to make it happen.
“With coronavirus restricting the number of tables allowed inside, that these outdoor dining spaces are invaluable for cafes, restaurants and bars across the city. We know that at least four businesses would not have opened following the summer lockdown without the City Council pedestrianising the road outside their business.”
Chris Williams, Chair of North Parade Residents & Traders Association, said: “For many years we have sought to pedestrianise our unique shopping parade for the benefit of residents and traders. And now, both the City and County Councils have backed up our proposal and brought together an exciting project. We are thrilled to welcome the wider community to safely enjoy our shops, cafes [and] restaurants.”
Councillor James Fry, who represents North ward, said: “North Parade has long been an ideal candidate for pedestrianisation and the sad realities of COVID-19 provided an opportunity to do so, with the overwhelming support of residents and businesses in the area.
“This short street has two pubs, one full service restaurant and six cafés/takeaways. It is wonderful that we have made it easier for small businesses to serve a larger number of customers. As the weather warms up, we should see the full benefit.”
Councillor Liam Walker, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Delivery and Operations, said: “Oxfordshire County Council, as the highways authority, is happy to support the hospitality industry in North Oxford.
“By enabling this pedestrianisation of the road to take place, these businesses can maintain social distancing amongst their customers while creating extra space for diners.”
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