Gort cafe owner slams lack of support for local business
Galway Bay fm newsroom - A café owner in the county, facing court over unlicenced outdoor seating, is criticising the local authorities for not promoting business in local towns.
Sarah Harty, who owns Gallery café at Queen Street in Gort says the opening of the bypass of the town has reduced congestion in the town.However she claims that around 25 shops and businesses have now closed down.Ms. Harty was speaking after court proceedings were issued against her for placing tables and chairs outside her café in Gort during the fine weather.She had failed to get a licence for outdoor street furniture from the County Council beforehand and could now face a fine of up to 5 thousand euro.According to today's Irish Examiner, a spokesperson for the County Council says businesses who want to have outdoor seating must pay 125 euro per table for a licence.