A pavement licence allows eligible businesses, such as cafés, bars and restaurants, to put removable furniture, including tables and chairs, on certain highways next to their premises.
Fees and licence duration
- A new application costs £500
- A renewal application costs £350
- An application on different terms costs £350 if you already hold a pavement licence for the same premises
A pavement licence may be granted for up to two years, although the council may specify a shorter period.
Renewing or changing a licence
A renewal application must:
- be made by the existing licence holder
- relate to the same premises
- begin when the existing licence expires
- be on the same terms as the existing licence
The council will email you with instructions on how to renew your pavement licence before it expires.
If you want to change the licensed area, furniture, layout, days, hours or any other operating arrangements, you must apply for a pavement licence on different terms.
A pavement licence cannot be transferred to another person or company. If the legal licence holder changes, the new operator will normally need to make a new application. If only the business or trading name is changing and the legal licence holder will stay the same.
Applying for a pavement licence
Applications must include the information and supporting documents required by the council. These normally include:
- a plan showing the proposed licensed area and furniture layout
- current photographs of the area and proposed furniture
- a copy of valid public liability insurance covering the proposed highway area
- any other information reasonably required to assess the application
The Licensing team will confirm the consultation dates once it has checked your application. The applicant must:
- display the site notice and proposed plan prominently at the premises on the date confirmed by the Licensing team
- keep them displayed throughout the consultation period
- promptly provide dated photos showing that the notice and plan are clearly displayed and can be read from outside the premises
The statutory process consists of:
- a 14-day public consultation period, beginning with the day after the application is made
- a 14-day determination period, when the council considers the application and any representations received
Public holidays are not included when calculating these periods. We will normally let you know the decision by the end of the determination period. If the council does not make a decision within this period, the application may be deemed granted under the Business and Planning Act 2020.
Licence conditions
The council’s standard conditions apply to pavement licences. These include requirements that:
- smoking is prohibited throughout the licensed area
- valid public liability insurance covering the licensed highway area is kept for the duration of the licence
- clear pedestrian access is maintained
- furniture remains within the licensed area
- relevant managers and staff complete ACT Awareness e-Learning within the time periods set in the conditions
The council may also impose site-specific conditions where appropriate.
Pavement licence holders should use the free security guidance and ACT Awareness e-Learning available through ProtectUK. The training is suitable for staff working at venues and public spaces, and provides evidence of completion.
View the pavement licence standard conditions (PDF, 163.2 KB)
Expired licences and unauthorised furniture
You must remove all tables, chairs and other furniture from the highway when your pavement licence expires, unless a new licence has taken effect or you have another valid permission.
If you continue to place or use furniture on the highway without permission, this may be considered unlicensed street trading, which is an offence. If the offence applies, the council may issue a £150 fixed penalty notice.
The council may also issue a notice asking you to remove any unauthorised furniture. If you do not comply with the notice, the council may:
- remove and store the furniture
- recover the reasonable costs of removing and storing it
- dispose of the furniture where appropriate
If you breach a condition of your pavement licence, the council may ask you to put it right. Depending on the circumstances, the council may also:
- revoke your licence
- take action to put the breach right and recover its reasonable costs
Application forms
Apply for a new pavement licence (PDF, 268.51 KB)
Apply for a pavement licence on different terms PDF, 285.99 KB