It could be back to the drawing board for the amount restaurants will pay to set up temporary sidewalk patios in downtown Stratford.

Stratford City Council has voted to reconsider the fees businesses are charged under the patio-boardwalk and pop-up patio programs this summer which is $196 per month and a capped amount of $800 for the delivery, installation and removal of the wooden boardwalks as they try to help out the restaurants that have felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns.

The city paid around $16,000 last summer, the first year of the program, which was recovered through a government grant.

City councilor Kathy Vassilakos introduced the notice of motion to have staff study the costs and she says outdoor dining is a safe activity we can all take part in.

“We know that outdoor dining, we know that outdoor activities, we know that things that happen outside are going to be inherently much safer and less risky as we start to open up.”

Staff will present what they find to council at their next meeting on May 25th with the previously approved boardwalks being delivered and installed in the meantime.