Drury Street's Ciss Maddens has its outdoor seating area restored

Ciss Maddens on Drury Street had its outdoor seating licence reinstated by Dublin City Council after almost a month without outdoor seating. The pub announced the reopening on Instagram with “WE ARE BACK BABY!” and thanked supporters. The licence had been revoked on April 24 without notice or communication, according to the pub, which said it was trying to engage with the council to reach a resolution. The licence was renewed in March and reinstated on Friday, May 22, though the pub did not provide further comment. Dublin City Council grants street furniture licences for tables and chairs outside premises, requiring approved screens and safe, navigable public space. A 1.8m circulation space must be maintained on the footpath, and applications may not be accommodated if that requirement cannot be met.

"Ciss Maddens pub on Drury Street has had its seating licence reinstated by the council after almost a month without any outdoor seating. On the pub's Instagram account, a video post announced that the venue's outdoor seating area was back open. "WE ARE BACK BABY!" the caption reads. "Thank you all for the love and support"."

"The pub renewed its outdoor seating licence in March, but said this was revoked on April 24 by Dublin City Council (DCC) "without any notice or communication". Following the revoking of the licence, the pub said it was attempting to engage with the council to "find a resolution that satisfies all stakeholders". "We will make no further comment on our particular situation out of courtesy to Dublin City Council, with whom we are attempting to engage to find a resolution that satisfies all stakeholders," the bar said at the time."

"Outdoor seating licences, formally known as street furniture licences, are granted by DCC to businesses looking to put tables and chairs outside their premises. On the council's website, they say outdoor seating areas must be enclosed by screens "approved by Dublin City Council" and they must "ensure the public domain is safe and navigable for all citizens". A 1.8m circulation space must also be maintained on the footpath surrounding the seating space, with the authority warning that "it may not be possible to accommodate your application if this requirement""

Read at Irish Independent