LETTER: Street furniture brings town alive

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I have to come out on the side of cafÃ© owners in Bexhill who have tables and chairs outside their premises and are objecting to the council's proposal to levy a charge on them.

The council says it has received objections from the public that the furniture is causing an obstruction, so how will having a licence change that situation?

These licences according to one owner would cost £240 which to a small business is extremely harsh and being cynical, smacks of a money making idea.

I object as a resident of Bexhill who loves nothing better than to walk around the town on a sunny day, seeing residents and visitors sitting, eating and drinking and having a relaxing time.

The offer of seats outside cafés, restaurants and pubs brings the town alive and creates atmosphere and anyone who says they are an obstruction is in my humble opinion an old misery guts.

Actually I think there are not enough seats outside establishments. If there were a few down Sackville Road, I think it would make it more inviting, as at present, it is rather dismal and in need of a bit of a facelift.

One more point, if the tables and chairs are to be licenced, what about shops that put their wares on the pavements. Are they also to be licenced?

Come on Rother Council, please reconsider because if you do not, I guarantee you will live to regret it as the town and your relationship with business owners will suffer.

June McAuliffe

Fowlers Close

Bexhill

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