Ambitious cafe plans for to boost Comber centre

Ambitious cafe plans for to boost Comber centre

1 July 2020

PLANS for an exciting new ‘cafe culture’ in Comber have been unveiled.

A meeting to discuss the way forward was held in the town on Monday morning, with Ards and North Down Council officials joined by Chamber of Commerce representatives and local councillor Deborah Girvan.

Work has been ongoing to develop a strategy on the way forward for Comber as coronavirus lockdown measures continue to ease, with more and more businesses reopening after being closed for four months.

News of Monday’s meeting comes ahead of the reopening of the hugely popular Comber Farmers’ Market tomorrow which also coincides with its sixth anniversary.

A special cake will be cut by council chairman Trevor Cummings who will be joined by Northern Ireland Officer Minister of State Robin Walker.

The market has been closed for the past three months as a result of Covid-19 with its reopening viewed as a boost for existing traders who will benefit from the increased footfall.

Alderman Girvan — who arranged Monday’s meeting in conjunction with Comber Chamber of Commerce — said cafes, restaurants and pubs have been among the hardest hit industries during the coronavirus pandemic.  

And with the hospitality businesses able to open their doors to the public this Friday, she thought that it would be beneficial to meet with the council to see what support it give to catering businesses to allow food to be served outdoors on pavements.  

“Even though the two-metre social distancing rule will be halved, it will still be difficult for hospitality businesses to increase their capacity unless they expand outdoors,” said Mrs Girvan.

“Comber is the perfect place to introduce a café culture as there are wide footpaths on three sides of the town square and, if permission for this is granted, it will create a kaleidoscope of colourful tables, chairs and umbrella shades.”

Mrs Girvan hopes that it will also attract more shoppers, cyclists and visitors to Comber as it slowly emerges out of lockdown. 

She also recognises that before anything happens, there are many issues to consider and for consultation with residents and businesses, describing Monday’s meeting as a “first step” to explore the opportunities and possibilities of reconfiguring  footpaths to ensure the safety of visitors, shoppers, and cyclists.

News of the cafe culture plan comes just days after the local council agreed to help hospitality businesses back on their feet by waiving the £225 fee for a so-called pavement café licence fee, initially for nine months.

Comber Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Laura Bradley, who is also director of the Indie Fude delicatessen, described the past few as “extremely difficult” for retailers across Northern Ireland. 

She said apart from shops that are selling food and drink, the majority of businesses in Comber have been closed for almost four months.

“Comber has been branded the ‘home of great taste’ and the town has built up a strong reputation for producing, cooking and serving excellent food,” continued Laura.

“We have the monthly artisan farmers’ market, award winning restaurants, cafes and food shops, and a discerning customer base which comes from far and wide to avail of high quality, locally grown produce.”

The Chamber chairwoman said she had no doubt that creating a café culture will not only help all the businesses in Comber, but also help build upon the success of the food industry that is firmly established in the area.”