'Fantastic' Weymouth restaurant unveils new seating area as lockdown eases

Enzo Ristorante and Pizzeria, located on the Esplanade, has extended its outdoor front seating area to accommodate up to 14 diners.

The seafront venue is one of the town’s most popular restaurants in Weymouth, with a four-and-a-half rating on Tripadvisor.

Reviews describe the seaside restaurant as ‘fantastic’ and a ‘gem’, which offers ‘absolutely delicious’ food.

Enzo, which has been open for 17 years, has successfully submitted a Notification of a Sitting Out Licence to Dorset Council, which allows restaurants to have outdoor seating in order to boost trade amid the coronavirus pandemic. Current restrictions mean only restaurants or pubs with outdoor seating are able to serve food and drink.

The new outdoor seating area includes a decked seating area, complete with tables and chairs and a glass balcony surrounding the area.

Enzo on Weymouth's seafront has unveiled a new seating area. Picture: Enzo

Restaurant owner Vincenzo Piscopo said pedestrians are still able to walk around the seating area despite the extension to his restaurant further on to the pavement.

Mr Piscopo, known commonly as Enzo, said he was thrilled with the new seating area, describing it as ‘quite smart’.

He said: "It is good for the restaurant and it looks quite smart.

“It is important for the town for us to have this seating area and for people to have a nice outdoor area. We have nice tables and chairs, along with the same menu.

“I am really pleased and thanks to the council for giving us permission to do this."

Ahead of the reopening night, he said was fully booked for Monday, with his tables booked throughout the week. He commented that 'a lot of people just want to go out and have a meal' and 'it has been a long time coming.'

The new seating area has been warmly received. Picture: Enzo

Mr Piscopo commented the recent lockdown measures have allowed him and his staff to make further changes to the restaurant, including new upstairs seating area, new kitchen and toilets.

“It is very important to have time to rest and to make changes to the restaurant, which we have been able to do during this lockdown", Mr Piscopo added.

“We are looking forward to opening up inside again.”

In a bid to support the hospitality sector following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has intended to create a temporary permitted development right to allow pubs, restaurants and cafes to erect temporary moveable outdoor structures for the summer.

Darren Rogers, Dorset Council's Planning Enforcement Manager, said: "We are currently taking a pragmatic approach to enforcing matters such as this in order to assist businesses to get back on their feet in the light of Covid.

"More information can be found at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/emergencies-severe-weather/emergencies/coronavirus/business-and-employers/our-approach-to-planning-requirements-coronavirus-update.aspx"