Pavement licence
A pavement licence allows businesses such as cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars to place removable furniture on the public highway outside their premises.
Before applying, please read this guidance carefully and ensure you can meet all licence requirements.
Before you apply
To apply for a pavement licence, you will need:
- public liability insurance with a minimum cover of £10 million
- a location plan
- a detailed layout plan
- details of all furniture you wish to use
- written permission from neighbouring businesses (if your proposed area extends beyond your frontage)
- a risk assessment if you intend to use outdoor heaters.
Please do not purchase furniture before your application has been approved.
Designing your pavement area
Pedestrian access
You must maintain a safe and unobstructed route for pedestrians at all times.
You must provide:
- a minimum unobstructed footway width of 2 metres on most streets
- a minimum unobstructed footway width of 3 metres on busy streets
- at least 500mm clearance from the kerb edge.
Pedestrian routes must remain accessible for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, visually impaired people and those with pushchairs.
The Council does not normally allow pedestrian walkways to pass through licensed areas.
Location of furniture
Tables, chairs and other furniture may be:
- placed directly adjacent to your premises; or
- located away from the building where sufficient pedestrian space remains and the area does not obstruct key pedestrian or cycle routes.
Extending beyond your shop front
If you wish to place furniture beyond the width of your premises, you must obtain written consent from any affected neighbouring businesses and submit this with your application.
Emergency access
Licensed areas must not:
- obstruct emergency exits
- restrict access to neighbouring premises
- prevent access for emergency service vehicles.
Boundaries and barriers
All furniture must remain within the approved licensed area shown on your plan.
You must provide suitable barriers to clearly define the licensed area.
Barriers should:
- be stable and secure
- include two horizontal rails
- have a lower rail no higher than 150mm
- have an upper rail between 800mm and 1 metre high
- be easily identifiable by visually impaired pedestrians.
Planters may be used where appropriate.
Barriers must not:
- consist solely of posts and chains
- present a trip hazard
- include advertising, other than your business name.
Furniture requirements
Tables and chairs
Tables and chairs must be:
- Suitable for outdoor use.
- Well-maintained and of good quality.
- Uniform in style, colour and appearance.
If your business caters for children, suitable highchairs should be available.
Parasols
Parasols must:
- remain within the licensed area
- be securely weighted
- not create a hazard to pedestrians
- be of a consistent design and colour
- display only the business name, if any branding is used.
Outdoor heaters
If outdoor heaters are proposed, you must show their location on your layout plan and provide a suitable risk assessment covering:
- fire hazards
- burns
- falling equipment
- public safety.
Smoke-free seating
- At least 50% of the licensed area must remain smoke-free.
- No-smoking signs should be displayed within the non-smoking section.
Plans required
Location plan
Provide a plan clearly showing:
- the property
- the surrounding highway
- the proposed pavement licence area.
Layout plan
Your layout plan must include:
- property boundaries
- dimensions of the proposed area
- building and kerb lines
- existing street furniture, including:
- lamp columns
- bollards
- signs
- bins
- barrier locations
- access points
- table and chair locations
- parasol locations
- any proposed heaters.
Applications may be delayed if plans are incomplete or inaccurate.
An example of a layout plan is shown below.
Insurance
You must provide evidence of public liability insurance with a minimum indemnity value of £10 million.
The insurance must cover all activities taking place within the proposed licensed area.
Toilets
Suitable customer toilet facilities must be available for use during the operation of the pavement licence.
Lighting
If you intend to operate during hours of darkness, adequate lighting must be provided to ensure public safety.
Waste management
You must ensure that:
- the licensed area is kept clean and tidy
- adequate waste and recycling arrangements are in place
- rubbish does not accumulate on the highway.
Opening hours
- Permitted operating hours will be considered as part of your application.
- The Council may impose restrictions where required to protect highway safety, residential amenity or access requirements.
How to apply
- Download a copy of the pavement licence application form (Word, 198 Kb)
- Submit your completed application and supporting documents.
- The application will be subject to a 14-day public consultation period, once a fully completed application with supporting documents and payment are received.
- The Council will assess the application and any comments received.
- A decision will normally be made within the statutory determination period. Pavement licences are granted under the permanent pavement licensing regime introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
How long the licence lasts
The Council will determine the duration of each licence.
Under current legislation, pavement licences may be granted for periods of up to two years.
The Council may inspect licensed areas to ensure compliance with licence conditions.
How much does it cost to apply?
The current application fee is £112.
Please note that fees may be reviewed and amended by the Council.
You can pay for a pavement licence application online.
