As expected, the B.C. government has extended the deadline to give restaurants, bars and liquor manufacturers more time to make temporary extended patios permanent.

Public Safety Minister, Mike Farnworth, says the temporary patios can continue to operate until March 31, 2023, instead of the previous June 1, 2022 deadline.

“Some local governments needed additional time to make the needed policy changes and assess applications for permanent structural changes in their communities,” he said, in a statement.

“This extension will also give businesses more time to apply and prevent the risk of disrupting patio service during the busy summer season.”

The extension is being welcomed by among others, Ian Tostenson, the president and CEO of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

“After the pandemic downturn, this decision will take one worry off businesses’ plates,” he said, noting many restaurants and bars have had to adapt over the past two years just to survive.

“As they plan for the future, they can continue to welcome their customers in expanded service areas and benefit from the resulting revenue.”

While the deadline has been extended, the government is still encouraging businesses to submit their applications to make these patios permanent as soon as possible.

“[That is because] local governments and First Nations need to evaluate structures and outdoor licensed areas in consideration of their communities’ requirements before expanded service areas are made permanent by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB),” a statement said.

The City of Kamloops had already said all extended patios that were put up last year would stay up through this summer, but staff were working with the province over the liquor licensing issue.

“If the liquor licence expires, they can still use the area to serve food,” Planning and Development Manager, Rod Martin told NL News last month. “Where it comes into play is whether you are allowed to serve alcohol out in those areas [once the temporary licence expires].”

Martin also noted that City staff will be going before council this fall to see if there is an appetite to make some or all of these temporary patios permanent, and whether there should be any fees brought in at that time to cover the costs moving forward.

“There has been a lot of support for these patios so I imagine it is something we will look favourably upon,” he said.

“I think there will be a lot of pressure to try and keep them in place, so we’ll see in the fall.”