PAT's Bar have been given the green light to serve food and drink on The Diamond in Enniskillen and hopes to open the new area in the "next number of weeks".

Owner Michael Cadden announced on Tuesday, June 15, that ‘Pats on the Diamond’ will be “coming soon”, having been granted a pavement license by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council under the Licensing of Pavement Cafés Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

Pat's are now permitted to place temporary furniture "for the use for the consumption of food or drink in a specified area" on Townhall Street, which takes in part of The Diamond.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Michael said: “We are delighted that we have the opportunity to try and generate a bit more of European-style café culture in Enniskillen. We thought it was something that has been missed."

He explained that with 'Pats on the Diamond', they want to try and "reignite" the town centre "to create some vibrancy in the town centre that has been missing for some time".

He added: "Walking up and down the town most evenings of the week, it can be quite quiet and again lacking that vibrancy for tourists.

"We're hoping that it would be a start towards creating a healthier evening economy in the town centre."

When asked about a timescale for opening the new area, Michael said: "We're pretty much ready. Operational constraints with reopening [following the easing of Coronavirus restrictions] and all the challenges that has brought, we're not going to do it until we are ready.

"I would certainly like to think in the next number of weeks we'll be ready to go."