THE new lease agreed with an Aberystwyth promenade diner will boost the town’s seafront despite the length of time it took to conclude, Ceredigion Council has said.

The council confirmed that it has struck a deal with PD’s Diner to extend the current lease, with an agreement to reduce the area of the prom that was subject to a food and drink restriction as part of the new contract.

While PD’s Diner owner David Day said that deal could have been agreed around two years ago, the council has said negotiations on leases can often be lengthy processes.

A council spokesperson said: “Lease negotiations can take a long time to resolve, especially where a case is being considered through the courts, but the council is satisfied that the new agreement will help provide new opportunities to promote trading and events on the prom.”

The council has already said that it hopes that the new agreement will help both PD’s Diner and other businesses on the prom moving ahead.

The spokesperson said: “Promoting the local economy is a priority for the council. When the lease for PD’s Diner came up for renewal, the council wanted to renegotiate the terms of the lease to promote and enhance the vitality of the promenade.

“Under the terms of the lease, PD’s Diner had a statutory right to renew a lease with the same clauses as their original one unless a difference agreement could be reached. Unfortunately this wasn’t possible at that time.

“When the matter went to court, the parties engaged a competition specialist to consider whether the food and drink restriction was anti-competitive and breached the Competition Act 1998. The outcome was that it wasn’t possible to show that the arrangement was anti-competitive.

“The council has now come to an agreement with the tenant that reduces the area affected by a similar food and drink restriction.

“The area of restriction is limited to between the zebra crossing in front of the public shelter to the north, and Terrace Road to the south.

“The restricted area includes the motorcycle parking and PD’s Diner with seating to the south.

“The bandstand is also in the restricted area, but the council has negotiated exemptions where food and drink can be served in the bandstand. The court case has now finished and a new 15-year lease has started.

“The new agreement means that the council has new opportunities to promote trading and events on the prom. We will talk with residents and businesses to find the best way to do this.”