Businesses on Aberystwyth’s north promenade have still not been given council permission to put tables and chairs outside despite an agreement with a seafront diner being reached.

An exclusivity condition in a lease with PD’s Diner was removed during negotiations over a new lease, which was finalised in December, giving other businesses the opportunity to be able to provide tables and chairs on the promenade.

But despite that, the council has still not issued any licences and said a strategy for agreeing licences will not be available until 2020, although it will look to provide a “short-term solution” for this summer.

A council spokesperson said: “Whilst an agreement has been reached with PD’s Diner relating to their exclusivity area, the council is unable at this stage to issue licences for tables and chairs on the promenade as there is currently no strategy for this purpose nor any approved fees and charges.

“Proposals for this are being prepared for submission for Cabinet approval, which will include a short-term solution for the summer of 2019 and a longer term one for 2020 onwards.

“Once approval has been obtained tenders will be invited.”

The council announced in December last year it had agreed that food and drink could be sold on the promenade outside of an exclusion zone between the Marine Hotel and the junction with Terrace Road.

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