New data from the U.S. National Restaurant Association has shown how the delta COVID-19 variant drove up the demand for outdoor dining. In a September 2021 survey fielded by the Association, 78 per cent of operators said their restaurant experienced a decline in customer demand for indoor on-premises dining in recent weeks, as a result […]
Vancouver City Council has approved a new annual summer patio program, which will launch in spring 2022 as an evolution of the Temporary Expedited Patio Program (TEPP) it ran this summer. A news release explains the new program will apply to both private and public property and will run from April 1 to October 31 […]
By Alice Sinia Efforts to return to pre-pandemic activities coupled with warmer weather means patrons are heading back to restaurant patio dining. At the same time, customers and employees still expect restaurants to do their part in helping keep them safe while they dine. In many ways, restauranteurs already have this top of mind, deploying […]
Across Canada, restaurants and foodservice operators face a vitally important summer of both indoor and patio dining as they look to continue to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Operational support is out there from the government and independent initiatives like the Ontario Restaurant & Bar Support Fund. But getting the word out […]
Pandemic-prompted temporary B.C. patios could be welcome for the long term at the province’s restaurants and pubs. As a first step to promised new rules, the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Board (LCRB) will extend current permission for British Columbia’s temporary expanded service areas (TESAs) until June 1, 2022, and continue to accept applications for […]
With outdoor dining on various provinces’ agendas heading into summer, David Hopkins offers the need-to-know. By David Hopkins Two years ago, consumers ranked restaurant patios primarily based on their “vibe”, their menu, and their crowd. Now, getting on for 16 months into the pandemic, that can’t be further from the truth. In 2021, it’s all […]
Restaurant patios in Ontario began reopening from Friday, June 11 as part of the province’s newly outlined reopening plan. Step One of the plan started on Friday, three days earlier than had been previously planned. The most pertinent news for restaurants and bars is that all outdoor patios in the province are now able to […]
Dining on Quebec patios can begin again from Friday, May 28 as the province-wide curfew is lifted after nearly five months. Quebec has been under a curfew since Jan. 9 but the province is finally starting to relax measures as the COVID-19 picture continues to improve. From Friday evening, outdoor dining can recommence, albeit with […]
Ontario is shutting down all indoor and outdoor dining for a minimum of 28 days in response to rising COVID-19 cases. The province’s self-styled “emergency brake” response includes prohibiting all Ontario dining indoors and on patios, just weeks after many establishments had been allowed to re-open for dining and open patios. Takeout, delivery, and drive-thru […]
Applications for Vancouver patios are now open for local businesses. As part of the City’s ongoing support for local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, online applications are now being accepted for a temporary patio on public property for the April 1 to October 31, 2021 patio season. Temporary patios on public property include patios on […]
