Littered and stained footpaths also need regular cleaning and repairs. Many diners seem to think dropping their cigarette butts on the footpath is quite acceptable. And when smoking is banned in restaurants and cafes from July next year, the footpath is likely to become an even bigger public ashtray. If butts get in the gutters, they end up in our bay. Other costs are hidden from a casual visitor.
Cafe society can be a real pain for neighbors.
Loud music, bottles being dumped in bins, rubbish collections, smoke or greasy food smells can drive locals spare. A surfeit of cafes creates strange and desolate shopping centres on weekdays and cold weekends, with little passing trade. This then drives other retailers and services out. Councils can't do much - the situation is out of our control. That leaves car-parking requirements as the only line of defence.