Hungry? Roads will close to traffic for new ‘open-air’ street dining in Cape Town

To help boost the local restaurant industry, the City of Cape Town will be closing streets to traffic and using the space for open-air dining from 18 December.

The City of Cape Town announced a new initiative to help local restaurants over the summer. From 18 December, the City will close certain streets to vehicles and use the space for outdoor dining and entertainment.

CAPE TOWN LAUNCHES OPEN-AIR DINING IN THE CITY

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced the initiative on Monday, 13 September. He said a resident, Richard Holmes, reached out to him on Twitter and proposed the idea.

“Our events team has worked quickly to arrange it, and they’ve delivered a great line-up of safe, socially-distanced evenings of open-air dining in Cape Town’s streets,” said Hill-Lewis.

Twenty eateries are expected to participate in the “unique dining experience” and live music and entertainment will also be announced.

Bree Street will be closed between Hout and Wale Street from 14:00 until 23:00 on Saturday, 18 December.

Harrington Street and Long Street have also been identified as streets that will be included. The details and road closures will be announced in due course.

“Whilst we cannot help every restaurant, we hope this innovation will make a positive difference in the lives of many hospitality workers.

“We know the impact that Covid has had on Cape Town businesses and the thousands of Capetonians they employ. Innovative thinking is needed to help get our economy through this wave, and we are committed to doing what we can,” said the mayor.

By: Storm Simpson

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