The Town of Cochrane has created an expedited approval process for outdoor patios. 

Restrictions in Step 1 entails that restaurants, as of noon today (Friday, April 9), had to close to indoor seating however, patios are allowed to be open.

In support of local restaurants and pubs, the town is moving to quickly allow businesses to open a patio. The new process will allow restaurants to create temporary patios quickly and easily.

Cochrane CAO Mike Derricott says staff worked hard to put the new process in place quickly. “We’re always looking for new ways to support local business,” Derricott says. “The combination of the new health regulations and improving weather made this a natural fit as a great way to help everyone support local.”

Businesses will be allowed to set up temporary patios in private parking areas or on public property like sidewalks, and parks. 

Mike Korman, Business Development Manager for the Town of Cochrane encourages businesses to apply at cochrane.ca/Patio and applications will be reviewed over a 5-7 day period. He says hopefully, they will "Be able to approve them quickly so they can get working on constructing them before the weather turns nicer than it is now."  

Korman says, "I have spoken to five or six restaurants, I know the Chamber has been going around town asking and talking to people and I believe we will have some pretty good uptakes for this initiative."