Patio Permit Applications Open For the 2025 Season

Applications are now open for the City of Peterborough’s annual patio program for the 2025 season.

In February 2025, City Council approved maintaining the current insurance requirements for Downtown Patio Program participants at $2 million Commercial General Liability, except for patios licenced to serve alcohol, which would be required to have $5 million Commercial General Liability. File Photo.

The patio program creates the opportunity for more patio and pedestrian space in the City’s Central Area.  

The program includes:

• Allowing businesses on George, Water and Charlotte streets to use on-street parking spaces for additional outdoor business/patio space.

• Maintaining the existing two-vehicle travel lanes and cycling lanes on George and Water Streets.

• Reducing Hunter Street West to a one-lane, one-way street to expand pedestrian space and available patio areas.

• Maintaining Charlotte Street as a two-way, two-lane street while allowing for patios in on-street parking spaces through the patio permit process.

• The use of decorative fencing and planters to delineate between the new pedestrian areas, expanded/on-street patios and vehicular traffic lanes.

• The program has been expanded to allow businesses in East City along Hunter Street East to operate a patio on a portion of the city sidewalks.

• A non-refundable $400 Application fee.

Patio licences are required for all individuals, partnerships or corporations that want to place a patio on City-owned property.

To apply for a patio licence, visit the City’s Application, Licences and Permits webpage online. Applicants can submit an application, permit fee and supporting documents through the City’s website.

There will be reduced speed limits on streets with patios. Parking spaces, loading zones and designated waste pick-up areas may be adjusted once patio locations have been confirmed with participating businesses. 

Patio licence holders must put in place feasible measures to reduce physical barriers, respecting the accessibility needs of individuals. Business owners and patrons may contact the City with suggested modifications to the patio layouts that would improve accessibility. Where feasible, the City will work with licence holders to make requested improvements.

To have a patio licence ready for the Victoria Day long weekend, completed applications should be submitted by April 1. The last day to apply for a patio licence for the 2024 Patio Season is May 30.

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Downtown Patio Installation Beginning Monday

With the warmer weather in full swing, expanded patio areas and more pedestrian space are being installed in downtown Peterborough starting Monday, announced on Friday afternoon.

File Photo.

Installations are scheduled for Monday. The City will install decorative fencing and planter boxes next to businesses that have approved patio permits. Expanded patios are planned for George, Water, Simcoe and Charlotte streets. Businesses that do not have widened sidewalks in front of their establishments will be permitted to use the on-street parking area in front of their business for their patio operations.  

Decorative fencing and planter installations for patios are anticipated to continue throughout May and June to facilitate later rounds of patio permit applications. Currently, the City has received about 20 patio permit applications. 

“I love our downtown and look forward to the expanded patios each summer because they enhance the vibrancy and bring people together in the heart of the city,” said Town Ward Councillor Alex Bierk. 

The patio season changes include reconfiguring Hunter Street West between George and Aylmer streets into a one-lane, one-way street westbound to create more patio and pedestrian space. Within the Café District along Hunter Street West, the expanded sidewalk space for patios provides additional room for people to enjoy businesses and outdoor restaurant spaces due to the temporary lane reconfigurations.

As part of reconfiguring this section of Hunter Street West, Chambers Street is temporarily closed at its south end at Hunter Street and will be two-way for traffic from its north end at Brock Street the duration of the closure at Hunter Street.  

Reduced speed limits will be put in place on streets with patios to further ensure pedestrian and customer safety.  

Parking spaces including accessible spaces, loading zones and designated waste pick-up areas, may be adjusted once patio locations have been confirmed with participating businesses. 

The City is accepting Patio Permit applications for patios on city-owned lands until May 31. Patio permits are required for all individuals, partnerships or corporations that want to place a patio including bistro-style tables and chairs, on City-owned lands.

Businesses operating patios on private lands may require a permit and temporary liquor licence extension. Interested parties are invited to visit the City’s Application, Licenses and Permits webpage for more information on the application process. Applications, permit fees and supporting documents can be submitted online through the City’s website. 

To ensure compliance with patio permit requirements and respond to non-permitted patios operating on city-owned lands, an Administrative Monetary Penalty System has been implemented that will create an enforcement process for businesses that are not in compliance with their permit or have not obtained a permit. 

The City’s Patio Program dates back to 1997, and it included bistro-style tables on the sidewalks adjacent to the building facades. The program was later expanded to include the creation of the Hunter Street Café District in 2005. This is the fifth summer that the City is implementing temporary changes to downtown public spaces to allow for more patios and expanded pedestrian areas.  

For general inquiries about outdoor patios on City-owned lands, please contact Nicole Huculiak, Urban Design Supervisor, by email at nhuculiak@peterbrough.ca or by phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1654. 

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Applications Open For Central Area Patio Permits

Applications for the City of Peterborough’s 2024 Patio Season are underway for expanded patios in designated Central Area corridors.

File Photo.

The City’s annual expanded patio program has been in place for the last four years to allow more patio and pedestrian spaces downtown.

“The vibrant downtown patio scene has become a mainstay for Peterborough each summer,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Supporting our local businesses contributes to the economic and social well-being of Peterborough. We’re looking forward to another great season of shopping, dining and entertainment in the heart of the City.”

The program includes: 

• Allowing businesses on George, Water and Charlotte streets to use on-street parking spaces for additional outdoor business/patio space.

• Maintaining the existing two vehicular travel lanes and cycling lanes on George and Water streets. 

• Reducing Hunter Street West between George Street and Aylmer Street to a one-lane, one-way street to expand pedestrian space and available patio areas.

• Maintaining Charlotte Street as a two-way, two-lane street, while allowing for patios in on-street parking spaces through the patio permit process.

• The use of decorative fencing and planters to delineate between the new pedestrian areas, expanded/on-street patios and vehicular traffic lanes.

• The program has been expanded to allow businesses in East City along Hunter Street East to operate a patio on a portion of the City sidewalks.

• A non-refundable $320 Application fee.

There will be reduced speed limits on streets with patios. Parking spaces, loading zones and designated waste pick-up areas may be adjusted once patio locations have been confirmed with participating businesses. 

Patio licences are required for all individuals, partnerships or corporations that want to place a patio on City-owned property according to a press release.

To apply for a patio licence, visit the City’s Application, Licences and Permits webpage online. Applicants can submit an application, permit fee and supporting documents through the City’s website.

Patio licence holders must put in place feasible measures to reduce physical barriers, respecting the accessibility needs of individuals. Business owners and patrons may contact the City with suggested modifications to the patio layouts that would improve accessibility. Where feasible, the City will work with licence holders to make requested improvements.

To have a patio licence ready for the Victoria Day long weekend, completed applications should be submitted by April 2. The last day to apply for a patio licence for the 2024 Patio Season is May 31.

The City urges businesses interested in receiving a patio permit should apply as early as possible to facilitate a timely response.

Fencing and planters for expanded patio spaces associated with applications received after April 2 will be installed based on staffing availability. The City will aim to install the patios within two weeks of an executed permit agreement. Installation dates are subject to change at the discretion of the City.

An enforcement process using the City’s Administrative Monetary Penalty System will be applied for businesses that do not comply with their patio permit requirements or have not obtained a permit.

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PedalBoro Returns to the Peterborough Downtown Streets For the Season

The 15-seater PedalBoro bike is returning to Downtown Peterborough streets to tour the craft beer scene for another season, announced on Wednesday.

Roughly 60 per cent of PedalBoro goers were from out of town according to PEdalBoro. Photo courtesy of PedalBoro.

The cycling begins this weekend as PedalBoro will have cycling tours running from June until October.  The booking calendar is open as the party bike is available from Friday through Sunday for pub crawl tours, private parties as well as one-of-a-kind team building experiences according to a press release.

“As we embark on our third year in operations, we are opening this season with a real sense of purpose,” said Peter Rellinger, PedalBoro captain. “Our mission has always been to showcase the incredible people and places that make downtown Peterborough so unique. PedalBoro tours build connection and community pride back into our downtown core, add in a little dash of adventure and we are able to create this special sauce that can only really be experienced by bike.”

Last year, the unique bike aided in downtown spending with an average of 89 per cent of tour guests supporting core area restaurants, cafés and pubs before and after tours as stated in a press release.

“As our community continues to show its resiliency through economic hardship PedalBoro has an important role to play,” said Hillary Flood, ‘Party Pixie.’ “We are here to roll up our sleeves and do our part- and to do it with a bit of flair and a whole lot of razzmatazz.”

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Grand Opening of Downtown Restaurant At Former Hot Belly Mama's Location

Downtown Peterborough has a new upscale gastropub as The EL[P] held its grand opening on Wednesday.

El[P] owners Greg (left) and Amanda Da Silva (left) enjoying one of their several sandwiches on the menu. Amanda formerly ran a talent agency called Blake Talent Management in Toronto. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Owned by husband and wife Amanda and Greg Da Silva, the restaurant occupies the former Hot Belly Mama’s location at 378 George St. N.

The couple rented the property from Ashburnham Realty in late August then began renovations the following October last year.

The food is described as accessible yet elevated pub food according to the owners. Their slogan, “Food is Our Common Ground” is engraved on their front sign and placed on their back wall. The motto fosters a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for anyone who wants to kick back and relax after a long day.

"It's a positive space. Leave your cr*p at the door,” said Amanda. “In here in this space, let's enjoy some good conversation, good food, good drinks and have a good time."

The couple’s passion for art, music and entertainment — as both owners previously worked in the hospitality and entertainment industry — was incorporated into the restaurant’s atmosphere. The restaurant is covered in colourful art, graffiti and murals from local artists.

Originally from Toronto, the two moved to Port Hope in 2016. The small town acts as an in-between spot for all the family and friends they have in Peterborough, Toronto, Cobourg and Port Hope.

They currently operate a sister restaurant called “The EL” in Cobourg that opened in 2016. They wanted to replicate the same success they had in Cobourg for their Peterborough gastropub.

"We didn't want to pass up an opportunity to become part of the downtown core and that community with that feeling and vibe," said Amanda. "We've really thrived in Cobourg and I think Peterborough is similar to that. Everybody supports everybody, there's no bad blood between different restaurants and that competition so that's what we wanted to do here."

Despite opening during a pandemic, the couple is optimistic about the restaurant’s success being located in Peterborough.

“In the past couple of months, we've hit the road running,” said Greg. “There's a shutdown and all that but I think we're opening at the perfect timing."

"We're risk-takers and we didn't want to look back in a few years and say, 'we wish we would have done that,'" said Amanda. "As being so resilient through Covid at that location (The EL) and pivoting the way we had to succeed, I think that also gave us the confidence to be able to do this now that we're coming out the other side."

The Da Silva’s have rented the adjacent property of the former Olde Stone Brewing Company. The space is closed off and is unknown what it will be used for.

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What's Happening This Weekend: Vince Bierworth's Bachelor Party Pub Crawl In Downtown Peterborough

Photo by Julie Morris

Vince Bierworth—known for his What's Happening segments on KRUZ 100.5, The Wolf 101.5 and Chex Newswatch (and wakeboarding)—is getting married next weekend.

So this Saturday night (September 14th), he will be the star of a Bachelor Pub Crawl in our amazing downtown Peterborough. The night is produced and directed by his plaid King friend Ryan Lalonde.

Among the confirmed stops: The Black Horse, The Pig's Ear, The Red Dog, The Only, The Spill, The Red Garnet, Spankys, Shots, Aria, Champs, The Sapphire Room and Riley's. And there are sure to be much more as Peterborough has one of the best selection of bars anywhere. 

If you see Vince out and about Saturday, make sure to wish him a happy Bachelor party and best wishes on his wedding. Though he might not remember.

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