Pavement licence

A business which uses (or proposes to use) premises for the sale of food or drink for consumption (on or off the premises) can apply for a Pavement Licence. Businesses that are eligible include:

• public houses
• cafes
• bars
• restaurants
• snack bars
• coffee shops
• ice cream parlours

A licence permits the business to use furniture placed on the highway to sell or serve food or drink and/or allow it to be used by people for consumption of food or drink supplied from, or in connection with the use of the premises.

To apply for or renew a pavement Licence please complete the online application form. You will also be required to display a notice advertising your intention, which you can generate online to save or print:

• Apply for a pavement licence
• Notice for display by an applicant for a Pavement Licence

The applicant is encouraged to talk to neighbouring businesses and occupiers prior to applying to the local authority, and so take any issues around noise and nuisance into consideration as part of the proposal.

It is important to note the grant of a pavement licence only permits the placing of furniture on the highway. Other regulatory frameworks still apply such as:

• the need for alcohol licences
• the need to comply with registration requirements for food businesses

If the applicant has a licence to serve alcohol on premises, temporary amendments to the Licensing Act 2003 will allow them to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises without needing to apply for a variation of their licence.  These temporary amendments apply if the premises had a licence that permitted sales of alcohol only for consumption on the premises on 22 July 2020, and the premises still retain that licence. This is currently in place until 31 March 2025. It will remain legally independent and separate from the pavement licences process.