Rome is known for its tree-lined boulevards with cafes and restaurants spilling into the street with plenty of outside seating. NBC reports that five main piazza's in the city center are now however cracking down on the overflowing tables and giving establishments a quota to how many tables are allowed outside for each establishment.
The city has cracked down on eating in the historic center. Tourists are now not allowed to eat on historic sites such as the Spanish Steps. The entire area of romes historic center has been designated an UNESCO World Heritage site so it's important to care for the area.
"We had reached a rupture point: some areas were totally occupied by tables," Stefano Marin, municipal councilor of Rome's historic center, said to NBC News. "The new rules will allow the rapid passage of ambulances and people will be able to walk freely along the streets."
Many business owners think its detrimental to their businesses to have such a rule in place. "This is terrible for us. Tourists love sitting outside all-year round, even with the rain and cold. If this law becomes effective, it would mean having to fire many of my workers," said Michael Di Rienzo, who said his table quota has been reduced by 12 over the past few years. He is the owner of Di Rienzo café near the Pantheon. NBC reported that he was fined €70,000 for having seven extra tables last year.
Saverio Cicazzo a business owner who runs Café Rosati on Piazza del Popolo however won an appeal.
"Authorities wanted me to close for 5 days because the plastic curtains I placed outside to protect clients against the cold and rain were irregular. They demand we use one-meter tall fences which are totally useless because the wind passes through and clients freeze." A local court recognized the economic impact and let him keep the plastic curtains.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
