Cafés, pubs and restaurants are to be allowed to sell food and drink on Aberystwyth’s promenade, after conditions of a new lease were agreed between the owners of PD’s Diner and the county council.

The council has long come in for criticism for a restriction that stopped other businesses from trading on the entire length of the promenade between the pier and Constitution Hill.

A court case between the diner owners and the council ruled that the restriction could not be proven to be “anti-competitive”.

But the council has announced that a new lease for the diner has been agreed that reduces PD’s Diner’s restricted trading area to the length of the promenade from the zebra crossing near the Marine Hotel to the Terrace Road junction.

A spokesperson for Electra Moto Gear, which launched a 2,000-name petition calling for the restriction to be lifted, said: “We are delighted that the 23-year-old restriction on the use of the promenade has been reduced through a recent court case and are grateful to the council for listening to our views and to the petition.

“We feel that this will benefit many businesses, local events and charities who can now use the prom more effectively.”

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