Rick Stein al fresco pedestrian barriers – a useless eyesore?

The barriers erected in the road to enable pedestrians to walk past the Rick Stein restaurant along the south west section of the High Street, allowing customers – during COVID – to enjoy al fresco dining on the pavement have long since become redundant, fallen into disrepair, and have been described as a real eyesore.

The barriers, as the pic above shows neither allow pedestrians to negotiate safely along the road past Rick Stein, nor do they serve any apparent purpose other than to possibly exist as some challenging artistic installation whilst in reality acting as a blockage to a much-need parking area.

Elsewhere in the High Street the barriers and al fresco dining experience work. The Polly has tables and chairs that – even in this inclement weather – are inhabited by customers. There are even planters along the pavement line to add ambience and atmosphere. A bit further down from Rick Stein at The Food Gallery, customers regularly brave the wind and occupy the tables and chairs on the pavement. Those work. Near to Waitrose at Cafe Nero, at least the barriers are intact but frequently cars are noted as parking between the barriers and kerb.

So what is going to happen? Will any remain to allow customers to enjoy that al fresco experience in Marlborough’s High Street when the weather improves? Possibly. But in the immediate future, what will happen to that ‘parking restriction’ in the High Street outside Rick Stein, and who is responsible for its maintenance and presence?

Marlborough.news understands that it is a Wiltshire Council area of responsibility, but further understands that the issue is complicated by the fact that Rick Stein has a pavement licence. But would they be able to continue trading in this area outside their premises if the barriers were removed? Would they want to?

Parking will soon become a yet more important issue as car park charges will soon be going up, possibly as from 1 April and we understand that free parking on Sundays will disappear (flat charge of £1?), and that the Town Council will lose it’s free parking opportunity for special event days, such as the Christmas Lights Switch-On.

As soon as we have clear confirmation as to the changes to parking costs, days, and times these will be reported here on marlborough.news.

But in the meantime, how long will the ‘parking barrier art installation’ be allowed to remain outside Rick Stein, taking up valuable parking space whilst serving negligible beneficial purpose?