Survey reveals a positive response to Lichfield 's pavement cafes

A survey seeking opinion on Lichfield 's pavement cafes has drawn a positive response from the majority of the people who were questioned.

The survey was open for five days from August 30 2022 to September 4 2022, and was promoted on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as the council website and press releases.

An overwhelming 85 per cent of nearly 1,600 respondents want the pavement cafes to continue, with many saying they added to the city experience, attracted more visits into the city and created a unique and friendly atmosphere.

Understandably, some residents and visitors have been negatively impacted by the pavement licences, primarily blue badge holders who have seen the on-street car parking spaces moved to accommodate the outdoor seating areas.

A Lichfield District Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to making Lichfield City Centre a vibrant, safe and exciting place to live work and play.

“Car parking for blue badge holders is a vital consideration and whilst some parking bays have been moved to accommodate the pavement cafes, we have allocated alternative blue badge parking spaces in the city centre at Bird Street Car Park and Lombard Street Car Park.

“As a council we will ensure we communicate with any affected residents and visitors to ensure parking is well signposted. We would also like to reiterate that, blue badge holders can park in any council- owned car park for free, if they display their badge. ”

“We are always looking for ways to balance the needs of different people and to support our disabled residents and visitors.

“We have contracted disability consultancy AccessAble to review the parking provision in Lichfield city centre and we look forward to receiving their report. ”

The pavement cafes will continue to operate in the city centre into the autumn and Lichfield District Council will work with AccessAble to further refine the parking options for blue badge holders.