Pavement Licence
In July 2020, the Government introduced through the Business and Planning Act 2020 a temporary fast-track process for businesses to obtain permission to place furniture such as tables and chairs on the highway adjacent to their premises. This type of permission is known as a pavement licence and the temporary provisions are in place until 30 September 2024.
All pavement licences applied for on or after 10 August 2023 will be issued until 30 September 2024, unless a shorter period is specified on the application form or there are unique grounds on the merits of an individual application to issue it for a shorter period. There is a £100 fee for each application.
If you wish to apply for a new pavement licence for a business in the City of London, you must complete the City Corporation’s online application for a pavement licence.
Before you complete an online application, it is advisable that you read the applicant guidance notes. This sets out everything you will need to make your online application. As part of the application process, you must display a notice at your premises giving details of the application. You can use the public notice site template to do this.
If a licence is granted to you, it will be subject to the City of London standard conditions for pavement licensing. You must comply with these conditions at all times the pavement licence is in use. Failure to comply may lead to a remediation notice being served on the licence holder and/or to the revocation of the licence.
Please make sure that you have read and understood the City of London’s policy on Alfresco eating and drinking under the Business and Planning Act 2020.
In circumstances where it is not possible to accommodate the 2.2 metres minimum width required in the Alfresco Policy, the City will consider providing space for tables and chairs on carriageway if safe. We recommend you contact the City transportation team before submitting such request, so it can be assessed. Such requests will require licence holder to provide physical measures on street to create a safe environment (such as barriers and planters) at their cost which will vary according to the amount of space required. Please contact the licensing team should you wish to apply for a pavement licence.