"It's tough in hospitality, we support any improvements"

Sunday 28 July 2019

Despite a lukewarm response from other businesses the owner of The Vault has seen a significant benefit from the North Plantation road closure trial this summer.

Traffic announced after five years in the pipeline that it would begin a trial pedestrianisation of an access road in order to allow more businesses the chance to get an al fresco license.

Express reported on Thursday about restaurants in the North Plantation which had some misgivings about the way the al fresco dining scheme had been implemented. Concerns included a lack of subsidy from the States in applying for a further license meaning the "risk fell on our shoulders" as The Hook owner Sam Jarrold put it. 

"It's very tough at the moment in hospitality so we support anything to try and improve the situation." - Martin Welch, owner of the Vault. 

The scheme which officially came into force in May saw Traffic arrange for the previously accessible road adjacent to the Tourist Information Office blocked off with road signs and planters allowing those who wanted to apply for an al fresco license to do so. Legal costs and extra equipment allowing meant that some felt the cost was untenable for a trial which might not be extended. 

Currently the trial is set to continue until early next year and one of its supporters Martin Welch, owner of bar and live music venue The Vault which lies at the south end of the road, said he has seen a significant upturn in takings for the month of July as a result. 

"It started around about five years ago - we were asked to support it - it made sense as we took over in 2014. Cars were always taking shortcuts and that was our main concern because it was becoming a little bit dangerous when people were out having a good time. 

"They said they wanted to see more al fresco area, we had the same conversation every March but we had a couple of Deputies come down who supported it, then fast forward to January we got a letter saying they were planning to run a scheme; so finally it clicked into place," he said. 

Pictured: The view of North Plantation with pedestrians given sole use as part of the scheme. 

A setback until April for a full application through the courts and a possible "lack of communication" between departments who were all otherwise "fantastic" meant the license was not fully approved until June. 

"It was three months into the scheme until we were able to put chairs outside," he said. 

During opening hours Mr Welch is now able to move the 10-20 chairs and barriers he already owned outside all-year-round up until 23:45,  he said the scheme has meant catering to a slightly different demographic - which is a positive thing. 

"It's very tough at the moment in hospitality so we support anything to try and improve the situation. We've had bit of lunchtime trade and overall we've had a 9% upturn in July looking back over five years. It's not just good for my customers, people are sitting down having a nice bottle of wine which is not something we offered before, we've changed our design and got different clientele," he said. 

Unloading bays are now more fairly designated away from the business frontage, said Mr Welch. 

"Under the old system we'd open up and there'd be a delivery truck right outside, no-one could see we were there. This is all a temporary fix but it's got to start somewhere and I think it's amazing they've pulled it together and I hope it stays, it benefits our Town as well, it's a change for the better," he said. 

Pictured above: The new seating arrangements outside The Vault.