Police spark alfresco row with call for 9pm curfew

POLICE chiefs were today accused of trying to stifle Edinburgh's cafe culture after urging councillors to limit night-time alfresco drinking and dining.

Late last year, restaurateurs and publicans were celebrating after winning their lengthy battle to extend the operating hours of pavement cafes in the city.

The council agreed to allow tables and chairs outside bars and restaurants for an additional two hours in the evening, scrapping the previous 9pm curfew.

But some of the first licensees wanting to take advantage of the new rules have run into opposition from Lothian and Borders' chief constable.

Letters written on his behalf have been sent to the council, stating that 9pm is an "appropriate time" for tables and chairs to be brought inside on Rose Street, George Street, the High Street and the Grassmarket. The police said this would keep pavements clear for late-night revellers.

But the force was today told to "sort its act out" by business chiefs, who are keen to encourage a continental-style atmosphere.

Councillors were today due to consider five late licence applications, with police chiefs calling for a 9pm curfew for four of the premises.

Graham Russell, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses Edinburgh, said: "How can the police possibly object? We are supposed to have a cafe culture in Edinburgh. We've spent money cobbling the streets and making areas attractive. At 9pm, the sun hasn't even gone down.

"If the police have got a problem, they need to address that problem rather than try to ban the enjoyment for innocent people who are relaxing. The police need to sort their act out."

The Element style bar on Rose Street, formerly Brecks, and Browns on George Street have both asked for permission to keep tables and chairs outside until 11pm. The Last Drop pub in the Grassmarket and the Italian Rocco Restaurant on the High Street want to serve diners and drinkers outside until 10pm.

But in each case, an inspector in the police licensing section wrote: "I believe that 9pm is an appropriate time for the permission to cease, as this will permit the clearance of the public footways of table and chairs to permit free passage of those patrons attending the late-night entertainment venues around the city."

The relaxation of the 9pm curfew came into force in April, and an unknown number of pubs in the city have already been granted late licences for tables and chairs because there were no objections. It is thought these four applications generated police opposition because they apply to some of the city's busiest streets.

Traders pay annual table and chair permit charges of £65 for each square metre of outdoor space, or £85 in the world heritage site, with a £150 surcharge for a 10pm licence or £300 for 11pm.