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Pavement Licence

Date updated: 28/08/2024

Alfresco Dining (Pavement Licensing)

Alfresco Dining is regulated through the issuance of Pavement Licences under the Business and Planning Act 2020. A Pavement Licence allows a business, or person, to install an outdoor seating area for the consumption of food or drink directly adjacent to their business premises.

If you are applying for a licence, it is recommended that you read the applicant guidance notes. Pavement Licences are granted for 12 months, and applications are considered complete when all required information is submitted through the online portal, and the correct fee is paid.

As part of the application process, you will be required to display a Public Notice at the site that you are licensing. The template for this can be found below.

All Pavement Licences are granted subject to the City of London standard conditions for pavement licences. Failure to comply with these conditions may lead to a remediation notice being served and/or revocation of the licence.

Application Fees 2024

  1. Where an existing licence is in place and the applicant holds the existing licence: £3501
  2. Where an existing licence is in place but the applicant does not hold the licence: £5002
  3. New applications: £5002

1 If your application is a renewal, please state this in “Other Information” along with your licence number.

2 Our application portal will take an initial fee of £350, and new applicants will be required to pay an additional £150 by BACs in order to validate the application.

Apply for a pavement licence

City of London Al Fresco Eating and Drinking Policy PDF (158KB)
Date submitted: 12/09/23
Pavement applicant guidance notes 2024 PDF (156KB)
Pavement applicant guidance notes 2024
Date submitted: 13/08/24
City of London Standard Conditions PDF (59KB)
updated pavement-licence-conditions
Date submitted: 12/09/23
Public Site Notice Template PDF (75KB)
Date submitted: 22/07/20
High Street Hospitality Protective Security Considerations PDF (3MB)
Date submitted: 22/10/20
CPNI and NaCTSO advice Notes PDF (411KB)
Date submitted: 22/10/20