A PETITION to keep outdoor spaces at restaurants and bars in Dolgellau has been started, calling on Gwynedd Council to change their decision to stop businesses from using the spaces from 1 September.

Llinos Rowlands, who owns Gwin Dylanwad Wine and started the petition, said: “It’s disappointing, especially with a week’s notice. We had organised an outdoor wine tasting for the 10 September.

“Cyngor Gwynedd responded positively to our request for outside spaces in June 2020. I take issue with the idea that parking is a problem, it just needs creative rethinking.

“There are over 315 hour-long slots a day available in the town centre alone. If everyone stuck to the hour with the consistent support of the traffic warden it is plenty. It could even be increased if they were 45 minute slots.”

Sarah Meredith, who owns Y Sospan, said: “Y Sospan is a 16th century building, distancing is impossible. When positive cases are dramatically increasing people are being driven indoors.

“The tourist season doesn’t end in September but the numbers of visitors does go down which makes it even more illogical to do this as the need for parking spaces is reduced.

“It would be good to have a proper consultation that takes a fresh look at the town and traffic for the benefit of the local community as well as businesses.

Gwenno Burrough, who owns Yr Unicorn, said: “Having the outdoor space has saved our business.

“People do not want to drink inside, especially in an old listed building like ours which is beautiful but restricted in space.

“People enjoy sitting outside all year round. It creates a far more civilised atmosphere.

“A local business sells fruit and vegetables in our marquee in a small market once a week that people depend on, that would have to go.”

Dolgellau town councillor Ywain Myfyr said: “I am very disappointed with the decision to do away with these outdoor areas. They have been a great addition to the town.

“At the start of the pandemic Gwynedd officials held a number of meetings with the town council and business community to discuss the proposals to use parking spaces as outdoor areas for some businesses.

“Gwynedd Council have given seven days notice to the same businesses to close the areas with no consultation locally.

“They have been used not just as outside café space but as a meeting place for groups and market area. I fear it’s a decision made behind a desk in Caernarfon.”

He added: “People are still nervous about eating and drinking inside and with the present spike in Covid-19 cases locally this decision is irresponsible to say the least.

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “On 7 August, the Welsh Government announced the temporary ending of these rules upon which Gwynedd Council had justified introducing temporary street closures in a number of towns.

“Despite complaints from members of the public and some businesses, a decision was taken at that time to keep the street closure orders in place for an extended period over the summer holidays to support Gwynedd’s local hospitality sector.

“With the school holidays coming to an end, following careful consideration, it has been decided that now is the correct time to contact businesses to request that they remove their facilities from the public highway.

“On the request of the council leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, we will be arranging a meeting with local representatives over the coming days to discuss these concerns.”

The petition has already been signed by 688 people. To sign, visit www.change.org/p/cyngor-gwynedd-council-tu-allan-dolgellau-outside-spaces?