RIGA - The Riga City Council's Development Committee on April 19 reversed its previous decision and will allow beer gardens and outdoor cafes to be set up on Old Town's Livu Square this summer season.
However, all of the cafes equally will have to reduce their sizes by 30 percent. As a result, seating will be reduced from 805 to 506.
Committee's Chairman Edmunds Krastins also pointed that the square must have adequate toilets and added that the noise factor also must be dealt with - many people last summer had even avoided walking through the square due to the noise.
According to State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection Chief Andis Cinis beer garden owners will be forced to sign contracts with nearby restaurants and bars for use of their rest rooms.
