Botham's of Whitby given thumbs up to put seating outside Baxtergate cafe

Scarborough Council has approved the request from Botham’s of Whitby an institution in the town for more than a century, for a pavement licence for its Baxtergate eatery.

The bakery’s application stated that it wanted to be able to put seating in front of the premises in order to serve food seven days a week between 10.30am until 4.30pm.

Following a public consultation, the application was approved.

Pavement licences were made easier to get by government legislation brought in last year, designed to promote economic recovery and growth in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Planning permission is temporarily waived for pavement licences and the process is sped up to limit the waiting times for those applying.

The aim of the legislation is to help protect hospitality businesses and give them the opportunity to maximise their income potential while social distancing measures remain in place.

As part of the decision-making process, Scarborough Council consults with its own environmental health team, the highways authority, North Yorkshire Police and the public.

Elizabeth Botham set up her bakery in Whitby more than150 years ago.

It now has three locations in the town with bakeries in Skinner Street and Enterprise Way alongside the Baxtergate unit.