Only one eatery taking advantage of the chance to serve customers where cars usually park

A London pilot project allowing downtown restaurants to turn parking spaces into mini-patios has stalled.

Introduced in 2012, the idea was trumpeted as a way to draw people to the core and give eateries without patios a much-needed boost during the spring and summer months.

After two downtown restaurants signed up the first year, politicians extended the program until 2015 and even talked of expanding it to other neighbourhoods such as Old East Village.

But two years after the first parking-spot patio was rolled out, only a single downtown diner is taking it to the street.

Maybe it hasnt caught on as much we would like (it) to, but it is still working, said Ron Gasparetto, the citys co-ordinator for realty services.

Were not out there pounding the pavement pushing the program.

Modelled on a successful plan in Birmingham, Mich., the idea is part of a master vision for the core aimed at making it more people-friendly.

Two restaurants The Early Bird on Talbot St. and Jambalaya on Dundas St. set up seasonal patios in parking spaces for the past two years.

But the recent closing of Jambalaya leaves the Early Bird as the sole participant of the fledgling program.

That has owner Justin Wolfe worried about its future.

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Only one eatery taking advantage of the chance to serve customers where cars usually park