Pavement cafe licence - Licences and permissions

Please use this licence to apply to put tables and chairs on the pavement or highway.

Licences are valid for the period of two years from the date of grant/renewal if approved.

If you want to place street furniture, such as chairs and tables, on the public highway, you may need a pavement licence.

Under the Business and Planning Act 2020, the council has been granted powers to issue pavement licences.

It is a streamlined and cheaper route for businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars to secure a licence to place furniture on the highway.

Guidance: pavement licences (outdoor seating proposal) GOV.UK

This licence only covers the placing of furniture on the pavement. It does not cover serving alcohol outside your premises.

If required, you will still need to apply for an alcohol licence and comply with registration requirements for food businesses.

If you already have a licence to serve alcohol on-premises and you are granted a pavement licence, temporary amendments to the Licensing Act 2003 will allow you to sell alcohol for consumption outside the premises and only within the area covered by the pavement licence, without needing to apply for a variation of your licence. This is currently in place until 31 March 2025. See the guidance accompanying the Business and Planning Act 2020 for more details.

Business and Planning Act 2020 - Part 1 Consumption of food and drink outdoors

The licence application fee is £500 for a new licence and £350 for a renewal and is non-refundable.

The licence if granted shall run for a period of two years.

• Guidance notes for a pavement licence

You must submit the following with your application:

• A location plan (shown by a red line)
• Area plan to show the proposed area covered by the licence in relation to the highway
• Copy of your public liability insurance certification (to a minimum value of £5 million)
• Images of the furniture proposed to be used
• Copy of the public notice on display at the proposed premises
• Evidence of consent from neighbouring properties to use the space outside (if applicable)
• Pay the relevant fee 

Apply and pay for a pavement licence

If you need informal advice before applying please email licensing@herefordshire.gov.uk

We must consult on and determine your application within 28 days (excluding public holidays) from the day after receipt of a valid application.

There is a 14 day public consultation period starting the day after the council have received a completed valid application form with the relevant fee. It concludes at midnight at the end of the 14th day.

Template for a notice for display by an applicant for a pavement licence (appendix B).

Applications are available to view for the consultation period of 14 working days (excluding public holidays) starting the day after the application has been accepted.

• Current applications for a pavement licence

Representations can be made to the council during the public consultation period, by email to licensing@herefordshire.gov.uk

If you need help with making a representation please contact us on 01432 261761.

Contact us to view the public register.