A CAFE owner warned by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council that her street furniture could be seized if she does not obtain a special licence hand delivered a petition to Enniskillen Townhall yesterday (Wednesday).
In less than a week, Hazel Johnston, who runs the Jolly Sandwich Bar on Darling Street, received over 1,000 signatures from people who oppose the £375 licence.
“This has opened up a can of worms, people are angry,” she said.
She was one of 15 business owners contacted by the Council about the Licensing of Pavement Cafes Act which prohibits the operation of a pavement cafe except under licence granted by the Council. It means any business which has tables, chairs or other temporary furniture for the use of consumption of food and drink in a public area now requires a licence.
“The response we have received from our customers, members of the public and even people we have never ever met has been overwhelming,” said Mrs. Johnston. 
“It is very encouraging to know that we are all singing from the same hymn sheet,” she said.
It is an offence to place furniture for the use of consumption of food and drink on a public area without a pavement cafe licence. The offence is liable to a fine of up to £1,000.
“All we get from the Council is bill after bill,” said Mrs. Johnston. “What do we get from the Council? Are they trying to close small businesses?” she asked.
Meanwhile, the Council’s Environmental Services Committee was due to discuss the issue last night after concerns were raised at its monthly meeting on Tuesday. Democratic Unionist Keith Elliott told the meeting that the letters issued “haven’t been well received.”
The Enniskillen councillor claimed that the tables and chairs would be lost from the high street as business owners would not apply for a licence due to the cost. He asked for a report to be prepared for the committee, outlining how many letters had been sent out and what the response had been.
“My understanding is that there’s not going to be a lot of response,” Mr. Elliott added. His proposal was seconded by party colleague, Raymond Farrell, who said he was a “big fan of cafe culture.” Howard Thornton, of the UUP, asked the meeting if other councils were charging for these licences.
Kevin O’Gara, Director of Environment and Place, said that the cost and the charges that the Council were applying for the street furniture licences reflected the cost of that service.
Chief Executive, Brendan Hegarty, confirmed that a formal report would be prepared for the September meeting of the Environmental Services Committee.
Mr. Hegarty said that the Council did not introduce the legislation, but had been given the task of enforcing it. He added that the Council took the decision to levy a charge on a “cost recover” basis. “I think some of the criticism is directed in the wrong direction on the basis the council was simply given this function,” he said.
According to a Council source, attempts may now be made to withdraw the charge. 
Standing on the steps of Enniskillen Townhall yesterday, Mrs. Johnston said: “This cannot go on.”