The Business and Planning Act introduced a 'Pavement Licence' in July 2020.
The operators of businesses selling food and drink may apply to Stafford Borough Council for authorisation and licensing to place removable furniture such as, tables and chairs on the highway adjacent to their premises to sell food and drink from and/or for their customers to use.
The licensing regime provides a fast-track procedure for the grant of an authorisation that bypasses the existing regulatory regimes connected with Street café licences.
Who can apply for a licence
Operators of businesses selling food and drink in Stafford Borough premises that can apply include:
- drinking establishments (pubs, wine bars)
- premises that provide food or drink for consumption on or off the premises (restaurants, snack bars, coffee shops)
An applicant does not need a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 to apply for a pavement licence.
It is important to note that at this time, if an applicant has a licence to serve alcohol on the premises, temporary amendments to the Licensing Act 2003 contained in the Bill, will generally allow them to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises without needing to apply for a variation of their licence.
The grant of a pavement licence only permits the placing of furniture on the highway adjacent to your premises. Other regulatory frameworks still apply - for example, you will need a premises licence to serve alcohol and a food business registration to serve food.
Costs of a licence
A pavement licence costs £100, payable via phone 01785 619745 or online when submitting the application.
The licence will be valid for 1 year.
How to apply for a licence
Applications will only be accepted electronically.
To request an electronic version of the form email ehlicensing@staffordbc.gov.uk or apply online at Pavement Licence Application.
Once your application has been submitted a public notice must be fixed to the premises, advertising to the public/interested parties that a pavement licence has been applied for.
This notice must remain in place for the duration of the consultation period which is 7 days, beginning the day after the application has been submitted to Stafford Borough Council.
Once you have submitted your application you cannot increase the amount of furniture you put outside.
You must stay within the capacity stated and it must be proportionate to the size of your premise.
If changes are required, a new application will need to be made and consulted upon.
When the licence will be granted
Providing we receive no objections from either the responsible authorities consulted (Police Licensing, Fire Service, SCC Highways or Environmental Health) or members of the public, at the end of the consultation period your licence will be issued.
Various conditions will be applied to the licence which applicants must adhere to.