Alfresco dining's coming at a high cost to hospitality owners.  

Outdoor dining fees in Queenstown are being hiked almost 1600%, in some cases costing businesses $51,000 dollars a year. 

Meanwhile, the Tauranga City Council's introducing the fees at $150 per square metre, just below Auckland's highest fee of $154 dollars per square metre.  

Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage told Mike Hosking that public spaces allow businesses to expand and attract more customers.  

He says businesses aren't arguing against paying fair charges to use public spaces, but can't weather these increases at this current time.  

LISTEN ABOVE