Suspend Bristol street trading charges during Covid

Bristol City Council has agreed to suspend trading charges for street trading during Covid.
This is the text of the email we have just written to our supporters:
"Dear Friends,

Thank you for signing the petition to 'Suspend Bristol street trading charges during Covid'. The petition has been successful!

As a result of this petition and campaigning by local councillors, we are grateful to Bristol City Council for confirming their recent decision that they will not charge local businesses £7,000 per annum to put tables and chairs on unused parking spaces.

Instead charges have been reduced to a maximum one off payment of £553, and for most traders a single payment of £100 through to September 2021.

This will make a real difference to those businesses doing their best to serve our local communities, in this most challenging of times. The council has recognised that 'tables and chairs on the highway can support local businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars and add colour, vibrancy and atmosphere to the streets of Bristol.'

And not only does the success of this petition benefit those businesses who are already trading outside, but it enables many more to do so.

Thank you for helping make a difference!

Paula O'Rourke
Jerome Thomas
Christine Townsend