The city’s See You on the Patio Program was a hit this summer and, according to an extensive survey, helped many downtown businesses - and others in the city - survive the pandemic.
It’s why the municipality plans to bring back an enhanced program next summer. The program would be operated on Friday nights only from May 22 to Sept. 3.
On Monday night, city councillors agreed to support, in principle, the return of the initiative, pending support from the Downtown Orillia Management Board (DOMB).
In addition, council approved $55,000 from the Social Assistance and Economic Recovery COVID-19 Emergency Relief Reserve to be used for program marketing, road closed signs and barriers and to support an enhanced, city-wide animation program.
Council committee’s decision is subject to ratification by council at next Monday’s meeting.
Laura Thompson, the city’s senior manager of business development, provided council with an overview of the 2020 project that included results from a survey of residents, visitors and businesses.
Overall, the program was “considered a success by residents and visitors alike,” Thompson said.
In the survey, one business owner said, “Without this project, we would have closed our doors permanently.”
That comment resonated with Coun. David Campbell, a member of the city’s emergency recovery task force (ERTF), which helped stickhandle the creation and development of the program.
“Make no mistake, this program was created out of necessity,” Campbell said.
He said the ERTF’s mission was to determine “what can we do to ensure these businesses survive through this pandemic.”
Campbell said he is hopeful the pandemic will end sooner rather than later, but stressed council has to be realistic.
“That’s what this is about: being prepared for 2021, giving businesses and restaurants etc. time to make some preparations to know that this is coming up,” he said.
He encouraged citizens to shop locally and support area shops and restaurants “so that all these businesses make it through this winter.”
He said the hope is the 2021 patio program will help those businesses “come out the other side of this and remain open.”
Coun. Ted Emond, who served as chair of the ERTF, agreed.
“The See You on the Patio program began as an economic recovery program aimed at helping restaurants and bars survive COVID-19,” said Emond. “But it also benefited those downtown retailers who saw the potential and extended their hours.”
He said the program served a second and unforeseen purpose.
“It provided residents with a safe way to get out of their homes and socialize after months of isolation,” said Emond. “This was a welcome and enjoyable effect of the program and really contributed to the well being of our citizens.”
Feedback from some local businesses was less enthusiastic.
“Feedback from businesses were more varied, with some businesses seeking an expansion to the program, and others being opposed to the program and noting that vehicular traffic is a critical component of their specific business models,” noted Thompson.
“Business feedback regarding hours and length of the program was also split, as many businesses acknowledged that the program was beneficial but that due to the increased effort and hours this program entails, it also required more resources for businesses at a time when additional staffing is not financially feasible.”
That’s, in part, why next summer - if the plan is ratified by council - there would be a city-wide animation program to provide entertainment “throughout the community” on Friday evenings.
Restaurants, retailers and/or service providers who have indoor or outdoor (covered) gathering space meeting the city’s criteria would be eligible to apply to become a host facility for local entertainers and performers, said Thompson.
Entertainment would be coordinated and paid for by the city, she said.
Thompson also said patio lease applications will be extended from the current season of approximately May to October, to an eligible season of April 15 to Nov. 15, to align with the city’s snow clearing operation by-law.
“Consideration will also be given to applicants who submit special requests to extend beyond these dates provided that municipal concerns related to snow clearing and other weather-related implications can be adequately addressed,” she said.
She also said staff are working to streamline the application process and iron out wrinkles that resulted from the quick development of the 2020 program.
An educational component to the See You on the Patio Program will also be launched. This would include development of a new “how to” video for setting up a safe and engaging patio, as well as a brochure which would include best practices and local information to help businesses resource patio components locally (including items such as curb stops, barriers, gates and reflective tape).
The plan is contingent upon DOMB support, and the allocation of DOMB staff to implement the road closure.
And it’s unclear how the DOMB will feel about one new element of the plan approved by council committee.
Due to some complaints about bistro tables on downtown sidewalks, council agreed with an ERTF request to remove the authority of the DOMB to approve tables and chairs on municipal sidewalks in the Business Improvement Area.
“This will allow the city to ensure that all requests for patio space are directed through one approval process so that we can ensure all patios meet the social distancing provisions and that adequate pedestrian space is maintained,” said Thompson.
Survey results
City staff report 426 respondents, an inordinately high number, took part in the See You on the Patio Visitor Feedback Survey.
Here are some of the results:
- 98% (418) post-event survey respondents said that they took part in at least one component of the See You On The Patio program.
- 90% of visitors agreed that they enjoyed visiting patios in general.
- 75% enjoyed shopping in the downtown core when the street was closed to traffic.
- 44% of visitors that answered the survey visited a restaurant patio outside of the downtown area.
In total, 44 respondents took part in the See You On The Patio Business Feedback Survey.
- 59% of business respondents extended their hours during the program.
- 59% agreed the program allowed them to increase their sales.
- 64% agreed the program increased awareness of their business.
Anecdotally, members of the ERTF who participated in the event heard from attendees that the program lifted their mood and allowed them to meet with friends and family in a safe environment.
According to the staff report, many attendees noted that the program and extended hours of retail establishments allowed them to visit stores and restaurants that they otherwise hadn’t had the chance to visit. This was supported by survey data which showed that 16% of visitor respondents advised that the program enabled them to visit a restaurant/store/service in Orillia for the first time.
