THE regularisation of Alton's developing cafe culture has taken a giant step forward. After six years of negotiation, Hampshire County Council has budgeted for an experimental road closure order in 2008/09, to improve the safety of the continental-style 'piazza' environment Alton Town Council wishes to encourage in the Market Square. The decision was taken in anticipation of East Hampshire District Council adopting a licensing policy for the siting of tables and chairs on pedestrian highways. This policy will regularise what is currently an illegal practice by introducing a set of standard conditions and levying a licence fee of £25 per square metre, with a flat annual renewal fee of £35. At last Wednesday's meeting of ATC Policy and Resources Committee, councillors agreed EHDC's proposed licensing conditions which will include an agreement by the licence holder to maintain a 1.5 metre clear walkway for use by pedestrians, to maintain clear access to the premises, to keep the area clean and clear of rubbish, and to keep tables, chairs and umbrellas in good condition, so as not to detract from the appearance of the street. Councillors have requested that the boundary markings needed to define the licensed areas should be discrete, possibly using removable metal-framed screens or posts and stretch tape. With regard to the Market Square, as landowners, ATC has agreed with EHDC that tables and chairs must not be put out until 9am but has questioned the proposed removal time of 9pm, suggesting instead "a more reasonable time" of 10pm. The licence would include a proviso to ensure that owners remove all furniture to make way for events in the Square. While stressing the need for clear signage, councillors have welcomed the decision by HCC to go ahead with the issuing of a traffic order to prevent vehicle access to the Market Square when the outdoor cafe is in operation. The order will prohibit access via Cross and Pillory Lane, reinforcing the order already in place to prohibit access (except for emergency vehicles) from Market Street. The proposed order will be operational from 4pm to 6am, Monday to Thursday, and from 4pm on Friday throughout the whole of the weekend (including Bank Holidays) to 6am on Monday. Tables and chairs will then be allowed on the public highways under licence agreements between EHDC and the establishments concerned. In the case of the Market Square, because of the cost, ATC will be encouraging individual premises holders to make their own licence applications to EHDC. According to Mandy Ware of HCC's Transport Team East, Experimental Orders are implemented for a short-term period of 18 months, with the first six months acting as a public consultation period, after which comments are reviewed and a decision taken on the future of the order. A successful Order will be permanently implemented within the remaining 12 months of the experiment.