Reduce the 'hidden cost' of alfresco licences

A hospitality leader says parishes should reduce the cost of alfresco licences, as businesses say they have been getting more expensive.

Marcus Calvani, from the Jersey Hospitality Association, said the parish licence system for outdoor seating was "archaic". It's covered by a law that allows constables to grant permits with conditions and costing a "reasonable fee" that goes towards maintaining parish roads.

Alex La Ragione who co-owns the Italian restaurant Sorrento in St Brelade said his alfresco licence had increased by 50% this year compared with last.

Chair of the Comité des Connétables Mike Jackson said the parish permits were a "small cost" for businesses and were "not unreasonable".

Calvani said the alfresco licences were part of a bigger issue.

He said: "If we want vibrancy in our town centres and in our heavy footfall areas, what we want to do is create an atmosphere that drives people to go out and to stay and to spend longer.

"We can see that from France, Spain, Italy, you've got main streets that are vibrant, full of alfresco dining down the centre... we need to be building a society that's around that rather than outdated 12 different parish pricing structures that disincentivise businesses to take that risk."

He said the island had to start looking at how it could "squash" costs such as this.

"While our taxation is marketed as being low, the reality is the stealth taxes that come from multiple areas are causing it to be prohibitively expensive," he said.

La Ragione said the alfresco permits were a "hidden cost".

"Probably people don't realise how much it can cost to a business, having an external area."

He said the costs of running a restaurant were constantly increasing, week by week.

La Ragione said he would welcome the alfresco permit cost being removed and would like the parish to be more involved in encouraging alfresco dining.

He said: "I've been on the island over 20 years and when I first arrived, St Aubin was thriving, it was like the Monte Carlo of Jersey.

"I remember the old days... places were mobbed, the decking was full, people in the middle of the street until 11 o'clock. Now, that is completely gone."

He added he was only paying "hundreds of pounds" for his licence while businesses in town were paying thousands.

Cheyenne O'Connor used to run The Butterfly Café in St Helier.

She said the cost of paying for alfresco seating was a "huge factor" that led to her decision to shut down in 2025.

She said: "Being able to find an extra seven, eight thousand pounds just after you've been through winter was really hard, especially a non profit, where all our prices were kept low to help struggling families.

"We couldn't go without the alfresco either as you needed that seating to be able to make enough money to run through summer and see you through winter.

"It was a catch 22 and I felt we were let down."

She said she felt for any business who has come up against the "extortionate costs".

Jackson said in St Brelade the charge worked out at £15 per cover.

He said: "I don't think it's reasonable for the public land to be given to a private enterprise for nothing.

"It is public after all, and there is a cost to maintaining the public realm... whether they be paved, cleaned, cobbled, or what, there is a cost."

He disputed that St Brelade's cost had gone up by 50%, insisting that the parish only raised its permit price in line with inflation.

He said the success of the parish scheme was demonstrated by the number of businesses operating with alfresco areas, particularly in St Aubin.

"I think it gives the whole area a good atmosphere and when the weather is nice it enables people to sit outside and certainly enjoy the area," he added.

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