Businesses in Enfield are being encouraged to take advantage of a new pavement licensing process which could allow them to easily accommodate more customers.
The new streamlined approach has already been taken up by several cafes, pubs and restaurants in the borough, allowing them to put tables and chairs outside their premises, helping to welcome more customers within safe, social distancing requirements.
Enfield Council was one of the first local authorities out of the blocks, streamlining the licensing process by allowing businesses to put out tables and chairs while their application for a pavement licence was being processed. The administrative fee was also lowered to just £100.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Licensing and Regulatory Services, Cllr George Savva visited the Little Green Dragon, a micro-pub in the west of the borough, to see how it was faring since applying for the new licence.
Cllr Savva said: “We are liaising with local businesses, trying to establish what they need to get them through these unusual times. It’s fantastic that local businesses, such as the Little Green Dragon, are making best use of the current situation to welcome customers while being mindful of the current social distancing requirements. I wish them every success.”
Richard Reeve, owner of the Little Green Dragon, said: “This has undoubtedly been a tough situation for all kinds of businesses. Having been closed for over three months, I am really glad to not only be open again but able to ensure the safety and comfort of my customers by temporarily expanding my premises onto the pavement. We are a micro-pub in the truest sense – our premises really are quite small. So it’s fantastic that we can see more people at the Little Green Dragon by using the outdoor space. I look forward to greeting many of you in the very near future!”
Businesses who are interested in taking advantage of the scheme should apply online where there are also the contact details of the licence team.