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.

Download the policy relating to pavement licences.

Download an application form for a pavement licence under Business and Planning Act 2020

You must apply for a pavement licence on the council's official form.

You must submit the following with your application:

• Photo ID and proof of address for the applicant
• A copy of the applicant's public liability insurance up to £5 million
• A site map showing the precise locations where the tables, chairs and umbrellas will be positioned
• A copy of the completed public consultation site notice
• A photo or brochure example of the furniture to be used
• A photo showing the public consultation site notice at the proposed licence location site

We will not accept applications as complete until we have received all of the above, together with the correct fee.

Please email your completed application to licensing@herefordshire.gov.uk and then call us on 01432 261761 to make the £500 or £350 payment, depending on whether you are applying for a new licence or a renewal.

If you require 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.