VISITORS to Frideswide Square will soon be able to dine al fresco-style in several of the area’s restaurants and cafes after plans for outdoor seating were approved.

The Jam Factory, Dosa Park, La Croissanterie and Bamboo Korean restaurant all applied for a licence to put tables and chairs outside in the newly redeveloped square in the hope it would encourage “community spirit.”

Owner of La Croissanterie, Anny Benadel submitted the plans on behalf of the eating establishments in November and said the council had approved the application free of charge.

She said: “It would normally cost £700 a year to keep chairs and tables outside but the council has kindly offered this to us free of charge, which is good because it’ll give us the chance to see whether or not it’ll increase our business.

“I think it might be some kind of apology for all of the stress the work to Frideswide Square has caused us.”

Ms Benadel added that she thought outdoor seating would bring people together in the square, and is now looking to apply for an alcohol licence.

She said: “The plan is to have four chairs and tables at the moment and I think it would be great for people to sit outside and chat to each other with some food and perhaps a drink in hand.

Councillor Ian Hudspeth said that he thought the addition of outdoor seating would be the perfect added touch to the square following its £6.7 million redevelopment.

He said: “Think how great it will be when people can sit outside and look over the new square.”