Apply for a pavement licence for tables and chairs

Who can apply 

You can apply for a pavement licence if your business is a: 

• café or ice cream parlour
• pub or bar
• restaurant

When you need a pavement licence         

You need a pavement licence to use the following items on a public street outside your business premises: 

• tables, counters or shelves
• chairs, benches and other forms of seating
• parasols, umbrellas and gazebos
• barriers
• planters (if used as part of a seating or standing area)
• other items used for outdoor dining and drinking

It’s essential that 2 metres of unobstructed footpath is available so that:

• wheelchair users can pass safely
• people with buggies and mobility aids can pass safely 
• no footpath user needs to step into the road

All furniture must be:

• removable - not a permanent fixed structure
• stored away when the business is closed
• removed from the pavement no later than 11pm 

How long a licence lasts for

A pavement licence lasts for 1 year.

Licence fees

The cost of a new pavement licence is £500. 

The cost to renew a pavement licence is £350. 

Before you apply

Read our guidance 

We recommend you read our guidance documents:

Prepare your documents 

You will need to provide copies of:

• 1 photo ID documents – passport, UK photocard, driving licence
• 1 proof of address document dated within the last 3 months - utility bill, bank statement, Council Tax bill
• your public liability insurance – this must have a minimum cover of £5 million
• your premises licence
• a picture, sketch or plan of the proposed layout
• proof of your licence fee payment

Pay for the licence

We need you to pay for the licence before you submit your application. This is because you need to include proof of the payment with your application form.

We cannot process your application until we receive payment.

Apply for or renew a pavement licence

Download the relevant form to apply for or renew a pavement licence:

After you’ve applied

Once you’ve submitted your application:

• a 14-day consultation period begins, and members of the public can comment on your application
• we’ll send you a site consultation notice that you must print off immediately and display clearly for 14 days on a window or door at the premises

When the consultation period ends, we have 14 days to make a decision about your application.

If we grant you a licence, we’ll send you a licence card and licence conditions.