A Pavement Licence is a licence which allows for the licence holder to place moveable furniture over a part of the highway adjacent to their premises. This process has been developed to support the reopening of businesses following government restrictions. It is a temporary and fast-track alternative to the Tables and Chairs Licence under the Highways Act 1980.

The Secretary of State has used the enabling power in the Business and Planning Act to extend the duration of the temporary pavement licence provisions for 12 months to the 30th September 2022. This means that businesses can apply for a pavement licence to be in place within this extended period, up to the 30th September 2022.

These regulations do not automatically extend existing licences, as these were granted on the basis that they would be in place for a specified period until 30 September 2021 or earlier. Businesses will need to apply for a new licence if they wish to have one in place during the extended period from 30 September 2021, so that the application can be determined on the basis of the 2021 Regulations.

The licence will remain in place for one year and will not extend beyond 30th September 2022.

If you are granted a pavement licence, clear access routes on the highway will need to be maintained taking into account the needs of all users. 

'Streatery' or licensing a communal area away from the premises

If you are organising a 'streatery' with a number of restaurants using a communal area away from the premises for dining, please email [email protected]. Provide your telephone number so that we can contact you to discuss the proposal and requirements.

Apply for a licence

All applications must be applied for online and we cannot accept postal applications.

The fee for this licence is £100 and is payable on submission of the application , please ensure you have your credit / debit card details ready, follow the checklist below and read though the guidance before you apply:

Fill in the pavement licence application form

1. Provide a plan to scale of the area you intend to use by marking the location with a red line. You must also mark on the plan the furniture being used and the position of the same. Please check example 1 and example 2 which demonstrate acceptable plans.
    
2. Provide a copy of your valid Public Liability insurance with cover no less than £2 million, covering the proposed licensable area.
    
3. Electrical heaters are permitted and will need to be included on your application and plan. The wiring should be safely secured using pedestrian cable covers no higher than 15mm with tapered edges and hazard strip. All cables must be IP rated to demonstrate they are adequately waterproofed. A Health & Safety Executive risk assessment must be completed and attached to your application.
    
4. Ensure you have checked the standard conditions which are attached to all granted pavement licences.
    
5. Contact [email protected] if you require further assistance.

Consultation

Once we have received a valid application, a 7 day public consultation period  will commence (excluding bank holidays, Christmas Day and Good Friday).

You will need to display a notice on your premises setting out the details of your application for 7 days from the day after we receive your application. Failure to display a notice for the entire consultation period will invalidate you application. Please take a photograph of your notice being displayed and email to [email protected].

Members of the public, responsible authorities or any other interested party may make a comment of on your application during this time.

All comments will be considered when the authority determines the application.

What happens next

The application shall be determined by the authority 7 days from when your consultation period ends.

When considering your application, we will have regard to public health and safety, public amenities, accessibility and any comments received during the public consultation.

You application will either be granted, granted and modified or refused. The decision made by the authority is final and there is no right of appeal.