Luckily for Gunnedah, their local pubs are choosing to do the former, with additional alfresco dining options on the table for residents and updates at two hotels set to change the look and feel of Conadilly Street.

Development applications for the construction of footpath dining areas and physical barriers at the Courthouse and Parkview hotels were approved by Gunnedah Shire Council this week.

The projects have come as a direct response to social distancing recommendations provided by the state government as a result of COVID-19.

And while it's taken a while to get to the construction phase, Courthouse Hotel co-owner Rob Broomham said it doesn't matter because COVID-19 "is not going to go away quickly".

"So by having outdoor dining, with quite a substantial area, it is safer for the customer, safer for our staff and more comfortable for everybody," he continued.

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The developments are set to create an outdoor dining experience not typically available in Gunnedah and will allow for more patronage at both hotels.

Mr Broomham said he was pleased with the outcome and praised council for the proactive way they moved the project forward.

"It's been approved now, and we're using Stewart Surveys as our consultant, they've just put an engineer's report into the council to get a construction certificate, and when that's approved then we'll be all set to get the builder to get going," he said.