Pavement consents

During the COVID-19 pandemic can I put tables and chairs outside?

Will I be able to get a temporary permission to help with COVID-19 Restrictions?

Yes.

As of 20 July 2021, the Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations came into effect which means that temporary pavement licences can now be issued until 30 September 2022. 

This extension to this Act offers a further opportunity for any premises selling food and/or drink to apply to use Highway land on a temporary basis to assist with being able to socially distance customers wishing to consume the purchased food or drink. More information on these new permissions can be seen on the below links

Government Guidance on Pavement licence new provisions

Government Guidance on the new alcohol off sales extension. 

All current pavement licences issued under the Business and Planning Act 2020 will expire on or before 30 September 2021; there is no renewal process for existing licences so a new application will need to be submitted if a temporary permission is required beyond this date.

How do I apply? 

You will need to complete the below application form and submit alongside all required supporting documents by email to: Licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

Application for a Pavement Licence (Word 68kb, opens in new window) 

You will need to also submit 

• A plan showing the location and size of the outside area being requested, with the table positions indicated on the plan.
• Photograph of the proposed furniture
• Public Liability insurance – minimum of 5 million cover
• Consent from adjoining premises if your proposed area crosses across any other premises/property

 Your application will not be complete until all documents and fee are received. 

How much does a Pavement licence under The Business and Planning Act cost? 

On submission of all required paperwork, an officer will call you to take payment. Alternatively you call the team on 01482 396297 to make payment by credit/debit card.  

What happens after I make a complete application? 

Once your application form, supporting documents and fee have been received, from the following day you will need to display the below notice on your premises in a prominent and clear position for 7 days. 

Public Notice Business and Planning Bill Pavement Licence (word 25kb, opens in new window)

This period allows for any interested parties to make representation to the Licensing team for our consideration, during this time consultation will also take place with the Highways team. 

After the advertising of your application ends, we have a further 7 days maximum to determine your application. If you application is not determined in this time your licence is deemed granted as applied for until 30 September 2021. 

Will I definitely be allowed to place my tables and chairs out on the Highway?

Due to the diversity of the East Riding area, town, and village centres every request for a pavement Licence will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

There will need to be full consideration of such matters as below (this list is illustrative and not exhaustive).

• Is the highway suitable for tables and chairs - surface material will they be safe to use?
• Will placing of tables and chairs on the highway cause difficulties in queuing to use shops/ will it prevent people being able to maintain social distancing when the roads and paths are narrowed/obstructed?
• Will tables and chairs in a set location cause safety implications for the public including the visually impaired and disabled?
• If two premises are adjoining one another and they both want to place tables and chairs out, how can they work with social distancing?
• Does the premises have any restrictions on their Licensing Act 2003 premises licence that may prevent the use of an outside area?
• Does the premises have another external area they can use instead of highway etc? 

We cannot say that all premises locations will be suitable for placing furniture on the street. Consultation with the Council’s planning and highways Teams will also be part of this process. 

If we only sell alcoholic drinks and no food, will we be considered for a Pavement Licence?

Yes any premises that sells food and/or drink for customers to consume on their premises is eligible to apply for a Pavement licence to use Highway land to place outside additional furniture. 

Will I am able to allow alcohol in the outside area? 

No: if no licence for the sale of alcohol under The Licensing Act 2003 is in place. 

Yes: if you hold a valid premises licence for the sale of alcohol for either 'on and off sales' or 'on sale only'. 

The Business and Planning Act 2020 introduced 'Off sales extension' this means that all licensed premises that currently do not have 'off sales' on their licence or have 'off sales' on reduced hours to their on sales, can now do 'off sales' too. This allows for people to consume the alcohol purchased at a premises in an outside area on highway land up until either 23.00 hours or earlier if the existing licence permissions end before 23.00 hours, 

This will be an automatic right, except if you fall into any of the below groups - then you will not be entitled to use this extension. 

• In the last 3 years (as of 22 July 2020) had an premises licence application for 'off sales' refused 
• In the last 3 years (as of 22 July 2020) varied your premises to remove off sales, or had an application to vary your licence to add off sales refused. 
• In the last 3 years (as of 22 July 2020) had a licence modified by review to have off sales removed or conditions added to prohibit off sales. 

 More information on the 'off sales' extension can be seen on the below link

Government Guidance on the new alcohol off sales extension. 

What will be the conditions of the licence? 

The below document shows the East Riding of Yorkshire Councils local conditions under the Business and Planning Act 2020, and the inclusion of the National conditions that will apply to all licences. 

The licensing team can also upon grant add additional bespoke conditions should these be deemed necessary. 

Pavement Licence Local and National Conditions (pdf 150kb, opens in new window) 

What is a pavement consent?

Pavement consents are aimed at offering the public the chance to eat and/or drink outside facilities. 

A pavement consent allows control of these areas of the highway to ensure the use of tables and chairs outside does not have any detrimental effect on the area and that the rights of all users are protected. For example, to ensure pushchair and wheelchair access remains clear at all times. 

The pavement consent can be a means of adding vitality and life to areas, helping to maximise the use of our public spaces and offer a range of facilities for people who live, work and visit the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Pavement consents are aimed at providing discrete outdoor areas for cafe style food led cafes or licensed premises. Where customers are offered the chance to purchase both and drink and any alcohol sales are incidental to the food service. 

The grant of any consent to use the councils land for this purpose is considered on its own merits and discretionary.

Can I apply for a pavement consent? 

Pavement consents will not normally be considered if: 

• the premise does not offer food/drink or is primarily alcohol-led
• the premise already has an outdoor area for this use
• the premise is a late night takeaway
• the placing of tables and chairs would create width restrictions/obstruction
• the pedestrian footfall is heavy
• emergency access is required at all times 
• it would result in public health or nuisance issues
• the area cannot be supervised appropriately/waiter/waitress service cannot be provided. 
• if the proximity to residential properties would create concerns
• or the premises is in a 'hot spot' area in the night time economy.

All application will be considered on their merit, however, the grant of any consent is discretionary. 

Full details of all requirements can be found in the current pavement licence policy, available to view using the link below: 

Pavement licence policy (word 178kb)

Who else may I need to talk to?

Before you apply for a Pavement consent you may wish to discuss your plans with  Planning as planning permission may be required for the area.

Can I renew my pavement consent?

Yes. You can renew your consent using the form below:

Pavement consent grant application form (word 42kb)

If nothing has changed in relation to your application please use the online form to renew your licence. 

Apply online for a pavement consent

If you are unable to use the online application facility to renew, please email us for advice using the contact details below:

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

What if I want to change my pavement consent?

Any change to your pavement consent will require authorisation before the change is implemented, it may be that a new application would be required. 

We would advise that it would be best to request changes in advance of your renewal.

If you need to make an alteration during the existing consent, please submit your request to the licensing team:

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

The authority will then liaise with Highways Team to ensure all parties are happy with any suggested alterations. The licensing service has the right to refuse any amendment if deemed inappropriate for the area. The decision of the council is final on any proposed changes.

Transfers

A pavement consent cannot be transferred from one owner to another, a new application must be made.

What if I want to provide alcohol in my pavement consent area?

If you already hold a premises licence for the sale or supply of alcohol, you may be in a no drinking area.

Please seek advice from the licensing team by email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

Alcohol-licensed premises must be predominately food-led for a consent to be granted.

Which premises have a pavement consent?

If you would like to know what premises have been issued a pavement consent, this can be viewed by visiting our public registers.

How can I object to a pavement consent application?

If you have concerns over an application for a pavement consent, you must put your concerns in writing within the 28 days representation period to the licensing team setting out the reasons for your concerns:

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk 

or post to:

Licensing Team
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
County Hall
Cross Street
Beverley
HU17 9BA.

Right of appeal 

If your application is refused by officers you have the right of appeal to the Director of Communities and Environment, the decision of the Director is final on this matter.

Who enforces pavement consents?

Pavement consents are regulated by the Licensing team, Highways, and Streetscene officers.

All pavement consents are issued with restrictions on how many tables and chairs can be placed on the highway and at what time they must be removed from the highway, which is a condition of the granted consent.

Once consent is issued, if the premises do not operate in accordance with the granted consent, a maximum of 3 warnings will be issued before the consent may be withdrawn. Each breach will be considered on a case-by-case basis.