TEMPORARY outdoor sites will be made available for use by businesses in Helensburgh struggling to re-open in line with social distancing guidelines.

Argyll and Bute Council announced the measures will be introduced free of charge at locations throughout the region in a bid to help open up the area’s economy quickly and safely post-lockdown.

Colquhoun Square in Helensburgh will be utilised, while the council is inviting applications for other town centre sites not currently listed.

Short-term use of these spaces could include external seating areas for cafés, licensed premises, outdoor markets and other uses which would support economic activity.

The requirement for planning consent to expand into the public realm has also been relaxed subject to a successful application and the works being temporary.

Businesses using the spaces will still be required to meet all statutory requirements that the business must normally meet whether environmental health, food safety, licensing, road safety, and public order.

Further sites may be identified in the future, but the council is offering an initial number of sites. Businesses are also encouraged to advise the council of any other proposals they may have to utilise pavement space or on-street parking spaces, so these can be considered through the application process.

Councillor Alastair Redman, policy lead for economic growth, said: “Kick-starting the economy, in a safe way, is of utmost importance to us.

"In recent weeks we have worked closely with town centre groups, businesses, Police Scotland and Transport Scotland to put measures in place that will make a practical difference at this crucial time.

“Together, we developed guidance for businesses to support them to plan and manage real concerns around queuing in our town centres, while complying with physical distancing.

"As hospitality plays such a major role in our economy, we put in place a fast-track system for liquor licensing, through the use of 'occasional licences,' that ensures standards are maintained.

“Moving forward, as we ease out of lockdown, we will take every opportunity to draw on national recovery plans, as well as developing local initiatives, to look after the economic and community health of Argyll and Bute.”

Non-essential shops will be allowed to re-open from Monday, July 13 as the country moves into phase three of the route map out of lockdown. Beer gardens and premises with outdoor facilities were permitted to re-open from Monday, July 6.

Businesses hoping to make use of the identified public realm spaces will have to submit applications by 5pm on Tuesday, July 14; the council says the scheme is a "fast tracked, one-stop application process set up to the cover the next three month period".

This is part of the council’s economic recovery plan to ensure that town centres and businesses recover as soon as possible, whilst ensuring that the necessary public health controls for coronavirus are fully in place.

Further sites have been identified in Rothesay, Oban and Dunoon and a full list of available spaces is published on the council’s website along with details on how to apply to use them.

A council spokesperson added: "Whilst recognising the urgency to support businesses and town centres at this critical time, it is important that the process is fair.

"This timescale was agreed with business groups as being reasonable and the scheme will be promoted by the various town centre groups across Argyll and Bute, as well as through established communication networks with business organisations."

To view the sites available for lease, criteria for use and to apply, go to argyll-bute.gov.uk/coronavirus/easing-lockdown-town-centres#application.