Stellenbosch Municipality recently introduced a new policy that allows businesses in Stellenbosch Central to lease public sidewalks.
This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
The policy was introduced on 22 June and will affect all businesses using sidewalk spaces, including street vendors, said Grobbelaar.
Business owners are required to lease the area of paving that they use from the municipality within 30 days of receiving a letter informing them of what the policy entails, said Grobbelaar.
The policy’s implementation is ongoing, as many businesses have not yet received their notices, he added.
The policy’s plan and purpose
The policy was created to “improve” upon the encroachments that occur on municipal property, while still allowing a vital part of Stellenbosch’s economy and culture to live on, said Grobbelaar.
Many businesses within Stellenbosch Central use the outside space that falls within their property’s boundary to operate their businesses. This policy will aim to address the space where businesses have extended onto sidewalks that fall outside of their boundary.
Grobbelaar added that this is not a new law, but rather a new process that has been adopted to ensure that each business using public outdoor spaces and sidewalks are sticking to their lease agreement and not violating it.
The current encroachments onto municipal property do not align with legislation, therefore, a change was necessary, Grobbelaar stated.
“It should be emphasized that this process is intended to promote a better outdoor experience, limit illegal activities and to ensure fair competition amongst businesses,” said Grobbelaar.
“[Stellenbosch Municipality’s new sidewalk policy] is not a new law, but rather a process adopted to ensure that all businesses adhere to the lease agreements for making use of the public outdoor spaces and sidewalks,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality, via email correspondence with MatieMedia. VIDEO: Tamia Retief
Creating space for all
The municipality has received a primarily positive response regarding the new policy, said Grobbelaar.
“This policy and approach have been widely welcomed by business owners and restaurant owners, as well as individuals with limited mobility,” according to Grobbelaar.
Businesses respond to new policy
One local business, The Wine Glass restaurant and tasting venue franchise, received the updated policy from the municipality, according to Brennan Davis, head of marketing for the restaurant.
If implemented correctly, the policy could be beneficial to the town, claimed Davis.
The Wine Glass is one of the many restaurants who make use of sidewalk space in Stellenbosch Central, according to Davis.
“[The policy] should stimulate economic activity and add value to the town. If that is the result, we’d be very happy and support it,” said Davis.
Kasifha Koopman, manager of Häzz Coffee Shop in Stellenbosch, felt otherwise.
Koopman acknowledged receipt of the new policy and said that she does not believe that this will have a positive effect on the community.
“They [the municipality] don’t communicate,” said Koopman. “They’re not very accommodating. You pay your papers and then you have to renew it the whole time and pay. I don’t know what the problem is.”
Should businesses not comply with the policy and register within the 30-day window, they will have to cease operations, according to an announcement made by the municipality. Businesses that renew their outdoor lease agreements that were made before the policy was implemented, are exempt from this, according to the announcement.
Businesses using public sidewalks may have to change their current layouts, should they not comply with a new policy introduced by Stellenbosch Municipality. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Tamia Retief