THE Vale of Glamorgan Council will begin installing parklets in areas of Penarth this week as part of a pilot scheme to help local businesses operate within coronavirus restrictions.

Parklets are extensions of trading space built out into existing parking bays that allow businesses to safely accommodate a greater number of customers.

Their introduction follows Council work to support traders by issuing Outdoor Trading Licences over the summer.

After close consultation with the Council's Highway's Department regarding the most appropriate position, the parklets will be located in Stanwell Road, Station Approach and Ludlow Lane.

All businesses that are allocated a parklet will be required to sign a comprehensive outdoor trading licence agreement that ensures they are responsible for its management and all Covid regulations are complied with.

The Council has secured funding to support the Vale's town centres during the pandemic and appointed consultants Roberts Limbrick to identify opportunities for the five shopping districts of Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth as well as High Street and Holton Road in Barry.

Resilience forums featuring representatives from each of the town centres have also been established to share ideas and discuss priorities.

Penarth is the first town to be supported through this funding, but plans are being developed for the Vale's remaining shopping districts, including ideas for art installations, lighting and traffic calming measures.

The installation of the parklets involved in the pilot scheme will begin on Monday (December 7) and their effectiveness evaluated before a decision on how to proceed is taken.

Gin 64, Willmore's 1938 and Foxy's Cafe and Deli are among the businesses included in the pilot scheme.

"It's unbelievable," manager of Foxy's Sian Fox tells Nub News. "We actually couldn't believe it when they told us a couple of weeks ago. This will give us about 20 more covers and hopefully we'll be able to do evenings.

"With this we'll be able to be more adaptable, more customer friendly and more safe. It's all very exciting."

Cllr Lis Burnett, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: "We all know what a difficult time local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality industry, have endured since the pandemic first hit.

"As a Council we have tried to offer as much support as possible, whether that be by helping to process grants to provide financial assistance or issuing outdoor licences to help traders continue to operate.

"We have also used funding to appoint urban design specialists to identify further areas of support and met with businesses to hear their ideas.

"Parklets are the first major initiative to come out of that work. We hope they will create a friendly and attractive environment for visitors to Penarth town centre.

"Unfortunately, the physical location of some outlets will not make then suitable candidates for a parklet, and in such cases we will look at alternative measures to support those and other businesses during later phases of this funding."