PAVEMENT cafés are set for all-day opening hours to create a continental-style atmosphere in the Capital.

Bar and restaurant owners will be allowed to have outdoor eating and drinking for an extra two hours under plans being revived by the city council.

Businesses and residents are being asked for their views on allowing tables and chairs outside from 9am until 11pm all year round.

If the scheme is formally approved later this year, businesses would still have to make a case to the council for a permit.

The council has pledged to give local residents a say on each application but also offer the right of appeal to any business that is turned down.

Extra enforcement officers would be hired to ensure the new hours are adhered to and that businesses have paid for permits.

Proposals which would have seen the rules relaxed for this summer were shelved by the new council shortly after the election amid fears they were being rushed in without enough consultation.

But they have been revived following intensive lobbying by businesses.

SNP group leader Steve Cardownie said it was "perfectly reasonable" to allow outdoor drinking and eating until 11pm as this was the norm in cities such as Paris, Prague and Madrid. Councillor Cardownie said: "My own view is that 11pm would be the right time for an extension.

"I know the weather we've had this summer hasn't been great but I do think people want to sit outside and enjoy themselves like they do all over Europe.

"It would bring obvious benefits for businesses and although we would have to judge each case on its merits, it is important to establish a general principle of what the new hours should be."

Lib Dem councillor Paul Edie, the city's community safety leader, said: "The party's manifesto was quite clear on establishing more of a pavement café culture in Edinburgh.

"However, we don't want to take a final decision on this until we've carried out a genuine consultation."

Tony Crolla owns a string of Italian restaurants and has been leading the campaign to persuade the council to relax the rules.

He said: "What the council should realise is that it is the people of Edinburgh who want to sit outside and have a meal when the weather is good. I don't see how it is going to cause any problems."

The views of businesses and residents will be taken into account before a final decision is taken later this year.

Details of how to take part in the consultation are available on the city council's website at www.edinburgh.gov.uk, with a closing date set for October 12th.