Loulé City Council will exempt the municipality's food and beverage outlets from paying municipal fees for occupation of public space, with an open terrace and its components, as well as a closed terrace, until 31 December this year.
Until the same date, merchants will also be exempt from paying for the occupation of public space and air space with awnings, signs, displays, advertising supports.
On the other hand, the Municipality also decided to implement extraordinary measures to increase the space occupied by the esplanade, installation of new esplanades for food and beverage establishments and the possibility of installing esplanades in streets or squares not adjacent to the establishment, until the restrictions of occupation of the catering establishments are maintained.
"This will be a measure of great relevance as it will allow to increase the occupation of establishments, at a time when the Government's indications foresee a drastic reduction of seats in each restaurant, cafe or similar, which could jeopardize the profitability of the activity and turnover of these entrepreneurs», explains the City Council of Loulé.
The situations will be analyzed by a multidisciplinary group from the municipality. All interested parties should consult the conditions for accessing this measure in the available order on the Loulé City Council website.
Communications from open terraces must be made online at Entrepreneur's Desk or at the Loulé City Council, at the Economic Activities Control Division (scheduling face-to-face assistance can be done by calling 289 400 771).
Interested parties must attach orthophotomap and drawing where they demonstrate the capacity to install the terrace, with the respective caption indicating the number of tables and chairs to be installed.
In case of doubt, it is possible to contact the services of the Municipality of Loulé, Economic Activities Control Division, by telephone 289 400 771 or e-mail [email protected] or the Office of Support for Economic Activity and Entrepreneurship, by calling 289 400 829 or e-mail [email protected].
«Given the exceptional situation in Portugal and in the world, caused by COVID-19, and fully aware of the crisis resulting from the pandemic at world and national level and, in particular, the repercussion on the local economy, the Municipality of Loulé has adopted a set of measures and actions to combat its impact», said Vítor Aleixo, president of the Loulé Chamber.
"At this moment when commerce, namely in the area of restaurants and beverages, opens its doors after the period of confinement, we want to be at the side of our entrepreneurs, supporting them with measures like these that we have now approved, so that they can face the future in the best way», added the mayor.
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