Annual hurdles emerge as patio season begins in Halifax

Patio season has officially begun in Halifax, but for bar owners like Mike Campbell, the city’s red tape gets in the way of giving the green light to the sunny sidewalk areas.

Campbell, who owns The Carleton Music Bar and Grill on Argyle Street, said there’s a bit of a headache that comes with opening up a sidewalk patio for restaurants located in Downtown Halifax.

“There’s been some discussion about some of the other people on the street, because they have loading zones, but it’s not a meter, but they get charged as well, so what does that mean?”  He said. “I’ve never really gotten a straight answer from anybody, they just demand a certain amount of cash, which is way too much cash as far as I’m concerned.”

Campbell said, along with permit fees and parking meter payments, he’s also facing challenges given his location right across from one of the city’s biggest construction sites.

“The development -as much as we’re all looking forward to it opening- in the meantime, it hasn’t been good for business,” he said.

Campbell said he wishes the city would waive the patio-building fee for restaurant owners on Argyle Street, for all they’ve had to put up with during the construction of the Nova Centre.

Despite the annual hurdles he has to jump over, Campbell has continued to build a sidewalk patio each year, and said he will, without a doubt, be opening The Carleton’s patio again this year.

“I just wish the process was easier. Easier and cheaper, you know? I want to see some humanity, that’s what I want to see.”

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