From today, Monday 3 August, businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars, will be able to apply for and secure a licence which will enable them to place furniture on the highway.

The Business and Planning Act 2020 provides measures intended to support economic recovery from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, including provisions to make it easier for businesses that sell food and drink for consumption on or off the premises to seat and serve customers outdoors by the introduction of a new type of licence, called a pavement licence.

The pavement licence is a licence granted by the council which allows the licence-holder to place removable furniture over certain highways adjacent to their premises and will be allowed to remain in place for a year, but not beyond September 2021.

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.

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “The pavement licence is just another initiative to support businesses and enable them to remain open during the pandemic, while encouraging social distancing and keeping residents safe.

So far, we have issued retail, leisure and hospitality grants of over £25m to nearly 2000 local businesses to help them continue trading and save jobs. We also continue to issue guidance to, and support businesses to enable them trade safely and protect their customers.”

Interested businesses can apply on the council’s website at  https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/pavement-licenses and download and complete the application form which they can submit together with the required additional information by email to licensing@lbbd.gov.uk.