A southside pizzeria revealed they are removing its outdoor dining area in a heartbreaking announcement to customers.
Pala Pizza will be closing down its outdoor dining space on Wednesday, May 10, after receiving a final notice from the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The area will be turned into three carpark spaces for Foxrock Village.
The popular venue said it was forced to come to the decision after "exhausting all avenues". Owner Rory Shannon said on Instagram: "Well we certainly had fun with you all on our terrace while it lasted!
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"We have exhausted all avenues of the so-called ‘non-appeal’ process to fight on your behalf for its retention. Covid brought few positives but one such one was the gathering of communities in an outdoor environment, with the influx of outdoor coffee bars and dining areas across the country.
"It 100% goes without saying that this was a wonderful government initiative to assist our industry in difficult times. But why take it away when all the positives are so blatantly obvious?"
Shannon added the Council's thinking was "not one of logic and [in their opinion] shows lack of foresight and little progress". "The importance of 3 carpark spaces in a village that possesses 51 spaces by the racecourse for some reason has apparently far outweighed our arguments put forward.
"@dlrcoco.ie decision has totally contravened their 2022/2028 planning policy which recommends an ‘outdoor realm policy’ to include dining spaces such as ours and the reduction of vehicles in towns and villages."
Shannon went on to thank loyal customers for being there since the opening. He said: "And to you guys who have been there since it’s conception, who still come upstairs, but have longed to get back out there for the piazza vibes, I can’t thank you enough. We are very grateful but hugely disappointed that your voice has not been heard.
"Anyway, this is the last you will hear of it from me and myself and the team really look forward to welcoming you upstairs at Pala for pints, pizza, chilled Rose, and freshly rolled out pasta."
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