A ROW has broken out over a move to allow a cafe’s tables and chairs on what were two disabled parking spaces on Haddington High Street.

Falko Cafe and Restaurant, based in the town’s former George Hotel, has put tables and chairs on the pavement and road outside the premises at the eastern end of the street, with the disabled spaces moved for now to outside Graham the Jeweller.

However, some members of the public have reacted angrily on social media and contacted the Courier to complain.

Jonathan Cullen said: “I have been away at work overseas so imagine my surprise when I entered Haddington High Street to see that the two parking spaces outside Graham the Jeweller had been made into disabled parking bays.

“My immediate thought was that it was good to see that another two such bays had been provided.

“However, I then saw that the disabled parking bays outside the former George Hotel had effectively been removed and replaced with tables and chairs for outside drinking and eating.”

And he questioned whether the disabled spaces, which have been relocated yards from the original site, had been sold to the business, but East Lothian Council has said that was not the case.

Mr Cullen added: “By pandering to the desire of a new trader, yet ignoring the past requests from existing traders for just such an opportunity to allow tables to be placed outside their premises, the council has shown that [it has] little or no understanding of just what makes the centre of Haddington tick.

“Haddington is not Paris, and never will be. It is a market town and needs shops. If shoppers can’t park, they won’t come, and the town centre will die.”

German pastry chef Falko Burkert, who has been trading in Haddington since opening less than a year ago following a move from Gullane, acknowledged that some people had aired concerns about the outside tables.

However, he felt that the temporary arrangement, which he would like to see made permanent, actually benefited the area.

He said that neighbouring businesses had been consulted and had benefited from the new spaces, with people more likely to sit down at his business before looking at others.

He added: “I understand parking is needed but, at the same time, we need to keep focused on what they are trying to do on the other side of Haddington with the [plans for a] retail park [at Gateside]. This part of town needs to be very attractive with seating, otherwise people will not come here anymore. That is my worry.”

A council spokeswoman stressed that the changes were “a temporary arrangement” which had been made in response to a request, and it was hoped it would attract more people to the street.

She said: “The council has not ‘sold’ the spaces.

“The charge of £400 is for a ‘tables and chairs’ permit.

“The council receives many requests annually to make available sections of pavement and/or carriageway for the placement of tables and chairs and each are considered on their own merits.

“Across the county, local businesses seek to maximise ways to encourage people into our town centres, which the council strongly supports.

“During summer months, outdoor catering is one way which can vitalise town centres by encouraging people to visit and spend some time at local shops.

“With each application, consideration is given to the pavement width, parking provision and road safety.

“For this particular proposal, an experimental order to permit tables and chairs was made which isn’t open to consultation.

“If proposals are submitted for a permanent arrangement then full consultation will be carried out.

“These seasonal and experimental orders are quite common and used with positive effects in other areas including Edinburgh.

“As a temporary arrangement being undertaken on a trial basis to promote Haddington High Street, we understand this change was also supported by neighbouring businesses and its impacts will be assessed later.”

The temporary order is due to expire in spring next year.

At that point, an application can be made for it to be made permanent, when members of the public could also voice their opinion.