BUSINESS owners say they are “delighted” after it was agreed that their outside seating would not be removed when Bedford Place reopens.

Two businesses, Retro cafe and Beards and Boards Craft Beer Bar had previously said they may be forced to close for the summer if plans for the loss of their seating area were to go ahead.

The seating, which is located in an area previously used for on-street parking, was due to be taken away following a consultation by the city council on whether to reopen the roads.

But now, having previously branded the plans as “unfair”, the owners of the two businesses have met with councillors and agreed that the seats will remain.

The decision was met with positivity from the business owners with Elliot House, the owner of Retro Cafe, saying: “As a business, we are extremely relieved.

“[Councillor Fitzhenry] was really genuinely looking to help us to find a solution.

“The news was almost as good as beating Germany at the Euros. We were delighted.”

Daily Echo: Outdoor seating outside Beards and Boards and Retro Cafe an Bedford Place, Southampton. Photo by: Beards and Boards.

The seating is currently surrounded by planters but now they are set to be removed and replaced with the concrete bollards currently used to close off the road.

As well as this, the licences allowing the two businesses to trade outside are due to be reinstated ahead of July 12 when they were set to be removed.

Toby Jackson, the owner of Beards and Boards added: “The other bars around the corner are bigger, they’re cheaper, and if they take away our seating, who’s going to want to sit inside and pay more.

“By letting us have our seating as well as everyone else, it gives us equal opportunity to be able to trade the same as everyone else.”

The council is also said to be considering introducing a 20mph speed limit on the road which combined with the concrete bollards, is aimed at keeping people safe from passing traffic when they are sat outside.

Council leader, Daniel Fitzhenry described the agreement as “a great win win”.

He added: “Ultimately our plan is to support businesses through this period, open the road, and help get Southampton moving.

“We will be looking to introduce a 20mph limit through Bedford Place and if you combine that with our free evening parking policies and investments we’re going to be making to be making into improving the street scene and tidying the place up, it’s an overall great package.”