Ryde diner reopening on hold after Council rejects 'outdoor seating'

With lockdown measures easing, AJ's Diner – situated inside Union Street's Victoria Arcade – had hoped to welcome customers back on April 12.

Owners were informed by the Isle of Wight Council that their seating did not qualify as 'outdoors' as although not inside the diner itself, it was inside the arcade.

This meant they would have to wait until May 17 to reopen, a further five weeks of lost trade.

A social media post from AJ's Diner said: "It is with regret and apologies we were informed yesterday by the local council that due to our geographical position we are not allowed to reopen our beloved diner until the May 17.

"(We) have been forced to shut down until this date.

"To those who visited us yesterday (Monday) on what we thought was our reopening – a big thank you. It was a pleasure to see you all and (we) hope to see you in the near future."

Staff at AJ's Diner.

A spokesperson for the Victoria Arcade added: "The front of the arcade is open to Union Street and the back doors are open, so (it is) probably better ventilated than many other concourses around the country where cafes and restaurants are open.

"Notably cafes and restaurants are open throughout England in railway stations and other public undercover areas and the main arcade is much larger and possibly better ventilated than marquees and other 'outside' undercover areas."

Approached for a comment by the County Press, the Isle of Wight Council issued a statement on the matter this evening.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: "The Government’s regulations are clear and use exactly the same definitions it uses to describe smoking shelters which also must be outdoors. 

"To be considered ‘outdoors’, shelters, marquees and other structures can have a roof but need to have at least 50 percent of the area of their walls open at all times while in use. 

"There is no latitude in either of these definitions and council officers must apply them consistently across all businesses.

"In this instance, once the officer advised the business of the situation they decided to close. This was a misunderstanding of the regulations and, as appropriate action was taken, the business was not issued with any financial penalties.

"The next few months are going to be busy for the hospitality sector and the Regulatory Services team, with the support of the Covid officers, will be working with premises to ensure all venues are as safe as possible.

“These measures will protect the safety of customers and staff and will be critical in limiting the risk of coronavirus transmission and help us move forward to step three in line with the government roadmap.”