Council crackdown on alfresco cafe culture  

GLASGOW'S celebrated alfresco culture is facing a crackdown by city planners.

Bars and cafes with substantial outdoor tables will face tough compliance regulations in a move that has angered the city's licensed trade.

Glasgow City Council says the growing outdoor culture - fuelled by last year's long hot summer and the smoking ban - have sparked a surge in unauthorised alfresco venues.

Now it wants to target businesses which "ignore their responsibilities."

advertisementVenues with large outdoor areas need the go-ahead from three separate authorities - planning, roads and finally the licensing board.

Now council chiefs want to scrutinize these venues more closely.

But concern was expressed today by licensing board convener Councillor Gordon Macdiarmid who questioned the move and said they had received few, if any, complaints about smokers using outdoor tables.