The Irish Times Pub in Victoria has had a surprisingly busy summer amid the COVID-19 pandemic, all thanks to their expanded patios.
“It made a huge difference for our bottom line, being able to hire more staff, getting in more people, just really helped as a whole,” said Connor MacNeil, general manager of the pub.
In May, as part of the Build Back Victoria project, the city gave restaurants the option to use sidewalks and parking spaces as outdoor patios, to give restaurants a little more breathing room as many struggled due to COVID-19.
The added square footage has meant a boost in business for many restaurants.
“We doubled it if not more than that, super crucial especially early on,” said MacNeil. “Especially smaller spots, brunch spots, little bistros, it was key for their survival.”
According to the city, the project has been so successful helping businesses increase their profits, it will now expand the program, maybe indefinitely
“It would be great if these patios could stay forever they’ve been a tremendous addition to our downtown,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps.
For now, the city is only extending the program until March 31, 2021, because that’s how long the LCRB has extended alcohol service in these new outdoor spaces, but if it was up to the mayor, they would be permanent.
“I want to see them around, if this is one of the legacies COVID has left in our city, these wonderful patios, then that’s a good legacy, but we’ll need to keep in long step with the LCRB,” said Mayor Helps.
The pedestrian walkway will also be sticking around, according to Helps, as she says this has also been successful in bringing people downtown while still allowing enough space for everyone.
Although a seemingly sweet success for businesses this summer, the question remains, how useful will these spaces be when the cold weather and rain start rolling in?
READ MORE: Uncertainty lies ahead for Victoria restaurants as patio season almost over
Server Rachel Diment says she’s already seen a decline in patio use this fall.
“Depending on the weather, [customers] are willing to sit outside, but with the rain and the smoke we had a few weeks ago, people weren’t willing to go outside,” said Diment.
Some restaurants, like the Irish Times, are already planning some outdoor improvements, like gazebos and heaters, excited that this extra space will remain theirs for the time being.
“It’s great. I love it. I feel like it should have happened pre-pandemic,” said MacNeil.
While the current set up is temporary, businesses and the city agree, outdoor space is the main ingredient for restaurants to survive this pandemic.
Rebecca Lawrence
