Owners of restaurants and other dining establishments all over the world have a host of rules with which they need to comply or else face sanctions. These rules encompass various areas of the operation: food safety, fire codes, smoking and nonsmoking areas, staff management. But in a municipality in Sydney, Australia, it affects restaurants, cafes and bistros that have outdoor dining areas.

It seems that such establishments on Norton Street are being blamed for crater-like holes appearing on the asphalted sidewalk, which are allegedly caused by chairs and tables that have pointed, stick-like legs. The local municipal council’s argument is that the concentration of weight in a small area leaves pockmarks in the asphalt, especially during hot weather. It’s similar to how much force stiletto heels have on floors. And, the council argues, women wearing stilettos are more prone to slips and falls because of these holes in the asphalt.

Local authorities say they are going to be stricter in the enforcement of the council rule that prohibits the use of outdoor furniture with stick legs, which doesn’t sit well with dining establishment owners and proprietors. They’re only allowed to use only chairs that have struts between the legs in their al fresco sections. Sure, such chairs exist, such as the BV Ingrid V818 metal stacking chair designed by Jan Sabro; this chair and many other commercial bistro chairs have broader bases which would comply with the council’s rule. But restaurant and café owners on Norton Street in Sydney are complaining about the cost of replacing the chairs they already have – which they must shoulder themselves.

The brouhaha over sinking chairs may seem funny at first glance, but it is no laughing matter for both restaurant owners and the municipal council. Nor would it be for anyone who finds herself twisting an ankle because of stumbling on a hole in the asphalt.