Worcester Extends Outdoor Dining Program To 2022

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester's pandemic-era outdoor dining rules will stick around for the summer.

The Board of License Commissioners on Thursday approved an extension of new outdoor dining licenses until at least January 2022 — or for 60 days after the coronavirus state of emergency is lifted in Massachusetts.

Last June, Worcester began allowing restaurants to use sidewalks, parking lots and other adjacent spaces for service. Since then, nearly 100 restaurants across the city have taken advantage of the new rules — and have possibly saved their businesses in the process.

Flying Rhino owner Paul Barber told the commissioners he was able to hire a full staff last summer with outdoor dining. When warm weather hit last month, he had an hour wait outside his Shrewsbury Street restaurant — a contrast to the "devastating" slowdown he saw over the winter.

"We had people waiting an hour-and-a-half for a table because they love to eat outside," he said.

There have been some downsides. Neighbors have complained about noise and parking problems. Bator Lachmann, owner of Basil n' Spice along Shrewsbury Street, told commissioners she had trouble with people taking up parking spaces for her restaurant while patronizing other nearby restaurants.

Although the outdoor dining rules do have an end date, they could be made permanent with action by the City Council, according to the city's planning department.