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Pop-up patios extended in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­through fall, winter by city council vote

First established as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, pop-up outdoor patios are here to stay
Fairmont Pacific Rim Patio Pop-Up-Photo Credit Leila Kwok (1)
On July 1, the Fairmont Pacific Rim launched a temporary plaza restaurant, called Pac Rim Patio Pop-Up. Photo: Leila Kwok/Fairmont Pacific Rim

Patrons of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­restaurants will be able to dine outside a while longer.

First established as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses's pop-up patios outdoors will remain in effect into winter.

This, decided by a unanimous City council vote Wednesday night. The motion was made by Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung.

In it, she detailed the “closure of patios would be a blow reducing needed capacity” for restaurants that “will be under further duress in the coming months as cooler weather arrives.”

The Temporary Expedited Patio Program (TEPP) allowed approved Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­businesses, mostly restaurants and breweries, to seat patrons outside on curb areas or spaces adjacent to their establishment amid the pandemic.

Its extension includes allowing businesses external heat sources including patio heaters – which are reportedly at a shortage in the country – as well as roof shelters, awnings, or secured tents for “weather protection.”

TEPP launched in the city on June 1.

As of Aug. 14, 361 permits had been issued to restaurants, including 291 patios on public space and 70 patios on privately-owned space.

Eight craft breweries were also issued permits for patios, which is a first in Vancouver, Kirby-Yung detailed, along with 9 pop-up plazas in partnership with local businesses and business improvement associations.

“Building on the innovation can be a positive legacy for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­in the move towards a more vibrant and people-focused city and to operating in a new, post-COVID world,” Kirby-Yung emphasized.

As a result, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­City staff have been directed to explore options for continuing programs for pop-up patios each summer.

If not for the vote, the pop-up patio program would have come to an end Oct. 31.