Overstrand Municipality will allow businesses in Hermanus High Street and Harbour Road to extend their trading on to the pavements adjacent to their businesses on Saturday, 29 April 2023.

This is an effort to test the Mayor’s policy of increased pedestrianisation as well as the informal trading policy currently considered for implementation.

The intention is to assist commerce to maximise on the long weekend’s trading potential and recover some of the losses incurred during the past two years. 

Business owners in High Street and Harbour Road can invite complementary businesses to share their pavement. 

The idea is to avoid competition and not have similar produce sold on the pavement while a store owner is paying rent. 

Following this weekend’s trade, an assessment will be made to consider rolling out this allowance in future.

Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, said “We are confident that this practice will be a success and pave the way for extending trade in specific Overstrand areas”.

In addition, the Hermanus Country Market (HCM) will be given permission to trade from this weekend till the end of May 2023. 

This decision was taken having due regard for the good faith shown by the HCM within the last week.  The HCM has removed the structures on municipal land adjacent to Generation School and have started earnest negotiations to submit formal applications and a draft sub-lease.  The Municipality has agreed that this matter will be mediated and will inform the public as the mediation unfolds.