Queen's Drive Space to reopen for food and drink in April

The Queen's Drive Space on Exmouth seafront is set to reopen for the summer from April 12, subject to Government guidance.

While the dinosaur-themed play park has remained open throughout the third national lockdown, the event space and the food and beverage facilities have been closed throughout 2021.

That will change from April 12, when four of the five traders who were operating from the Queen's Drive Space last summer will return.

The opportunity to replace the trader who isn't coming back will be advertised by East Devon District Council.

The reopening date was agreed by the council's Queen's Drive Delivery Group when they met on Thursday, March 11.

Why can't the site open for Easter?

Cllr Steve Gazzard had initially called for that date to be brought forward to encompass the start of the Easter holiday period, saying: "I understand the issues around Covid, but is there a possibility they can open up without the need for tables and chairs? As the play park will be open, and parents will be looking to get refreshments for themselves and children somewhere."

But Cllr Chris Wright said that while the operators could offer a takeaway service prior to April 12, it would be difficult to do so within the regulations, as anyone buying food and drink would not be able to consume it within the site.

He said: "We need to abide by the guidelines that it is takeaway only and we don't create a problem and conflict between people using seating there or taking their own seating, so we would have to make sure we don't fall foul of the regulations of those staying on site from where they are purchased the goods.

"It is incredibly difficult to stop someone from sitting on the ground. If we proceed to do this before that date, we will have a real battle on our hands with the general public."

Cllr Paul Hayward, the council's portfolio holder for economy and assets, added that with the council having just employed two Covid-compliance officers, the embarrassment of them going along Queen's Drive and have potentially having to fine East Devon District Council if people were sitting on the site with food and drink they had purchased prior to the April 12 lockdown relaxation 'doesn't bear thinking about'.

He added: "We have to do all we can to follow the rules and we wouldn't want to encourage anything or anyone to break the Covid rules. If we now bring it forward, it is a suddenly a huge task for the officers and moves the goal posts, and they have to do things twice as fast.

"While opening for takeaway at Easter is appealing, people will sit on the grass verges and the sand and will be creating the problem the roadmap is designed to prevent."

Cllr Gazzard said that despite his better judgement, he would withdraw his proposal to bring forward the opening date from April 12 to ensure the council doesn't put anyone at any risk.