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Pavement licences help businesses serving food and drink to customers seated outdoors stay COVID-secure.
As lockdown restrictions are lifted, social distancing guidelines remain in place. Businesses can apply for a temporary pavement licence that allows removable chairs and tables to be placed outdoors next to their business so that food and drinks can be served outside.
Temporary pavement licence
The cost of a licence is £100 and in some cases it may be free. Temporary changes to planning and licensing procedures mean it will be granted until 30 September 2022 and businesses that already have a pavement licence will benefit from the licence period extension without any further fee.
Where a pavement licence is granted, clear access routes on the highway will need to be maintained, taking into account the needs of all users, including disabled people.
Details and how to apply for a pavement licence
Businesses should apply online through our pavement licence page.
Businesses will need to provide:
- A photograph of the premises showing the area of the pavement you intend to use
- A copy of your Public Liability insurance certificate
- A dimensioned plan showing the proposed area in relation to the highway where you intend to place the pavement furniture
- Details of any furniture you intend to use including umbrellas, heaters, barriers and planters
Bounce back from the pandemic
Councillor Aniket Patel, responsible for Commercial & Regulatory Services said:
We want to help food and drink businesses bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic in time for spring and summer. Getting a pavement licence gives them the opportunity to provide their customers with an al fresco dining or drinking experience where social distancing arrangements can be put in place more easily.
Businesses can also claim for outside adaptations such as outdoor furniture, marquees and external heaters through the Essex Business Adaptation Funding (EBAF) grant scheme.
I hope this will help provide much needed income in the hospitality sector over the summer months and protect as many jobs as possible. I also hope that residents will continue to support our local shops and high streets and support our new initiatives like Click It Local Epping Forest, which we have just launched.
Want to know more?
For more information contact our Licensing team who will be happy to discuss further:
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