Trying to nab a spot on a downtown patio might not be as hard this summer.
That's thanks to city staff who are recommending the on-street patio program for downtown restaurants become permanent.
This is the first year Jambalaya restaurateur Kevin Grieves will set up shop in a parking spot.
"Since I've been in downtown London I've driven around and looked at all the patios being full and all the restaurants without patios hardly have anyone inside. So people definitely want to be outside in the summertime."
Although only two restaurants took part in last year's pilot, city staff are recommending the on-street patio program become a permanent fixture downtown.
It would be based on three-year periods, which could be extended by council.
"Having more people out on the street is adding more vibrancy to the downtown and encouraging these types of patios come out is great for downtown, great for businesses, and we'd like to see them keep going," says Eric Lalande, city planner.
Although Lalande says technical and design standards have yet to be finalized.
Reaction from Londoners has been generally positive.
"I think it would be nice but not so close to the traffic cause it's a little noisy like when ambulance or anything's coming down it'd probably be a little noisy. But it would be nice on such a nice day like this,' says Jennifer Olise.
"As long as you take away from that parking space, and as long as the parking lot owners, whether they be city or private owned aren't allowed to increase the rates because of that- I have no issue," says Ron Rybowski.
The proposal will be considered by council's Civic Works Committee on Monday.
