Pavement licence

A pavement licence allows the licence holder or business owner to place removable furniture over certain highways (on pavements) adjacent to the premises. 

This is in order to make it easier to serve food and drink from the premises and maximise capacity with outdoor tables and chairs. 

Businesses that are eligible for this permission include those intending to use the premises for the sale of food or drink for consumption.

Check what furniture you can use

Once granted a licence, you can use

• counters or stalls for selling food or drink tables
• counters or shelves on which food or drink can be placed
• chairs, benches or other forms of seating 
• umbrellas, barriers heaters and other articles used in connection with the outdoor consumption of food or drink. 

Licences can only be granted in respect of highways listed in the S115A(1) Highways Act 1980. These are footpaths restricted to pedestrians, or are roads and places to which vehicle access is restricted or prohibited.

Apply for a licence

Complete and return the Pavement Licence Application form (.doc, 46kb) using the details at the bottom of this page.

You will need to include in your application:

• a location plan showing the name of the street, the proposed area applied for (including dimensions), and the positions of the street furniture (such as tables and chairs) to be placed within the proposed area
• photos of the proposed street furniture
• proof of Public Liability Insurance
• a copy of the Public Notice for a pavement licence (.doc, 44kb) you must place on the front of the premises facing the street
• payment as set out in the fees section further down this page

What happens next

There is a 14-day consultation period beginning on day after the application is made. Applicants will be required to display a public notice at their premises throughout the 14-day period. 

Following the consultation period there is a further 14-day period for determination. Applicants will be notified of our decision. 

If we do not make a formal decision about the application by the end of the determination period, the licence is deemed to have been granted. 

The licence may be granted with standard conditions (PDF, 225kb) or may granted with additional conditions specific to the site, or may be refused for reasons that will be clearly explained.

Fees

Payment should be made online using our payments portal.

Current Applications

• Starbucks, Newark Market Place – Starbucks site notice (PDF, 292kb)
• Gossips, 24-26 King Street, Southwell – Gossips site notice (PDF, 508kb)
• The Wheatsheaf, Southwell – The Wheatsheaf site notice (PDF, 363kb)