Pavement Licences (Business and Planning Act 2020)

The new Business and Planning Act 2020 introduces a new licensing process to create a more streamlined and cheaper route for businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars to secure a licence to place removable furniture over certain highways adjacent to the premises. The licence permits the sale or serving of food or drink for consumption on or off the premises. This will help support them to operate safely while social distancing measures remain in place. This could also provide much needed income over the summer months with a view of protecting as many hospitality jobs as possible.

It must be noted that this new process is separate to the existing pavement licensing scheme which continues to be operated under Part 7A of the Highways Act 1980 - this scheme is operated by the Highways Section and is still an available option.