The Business and Planning Act introduced a new Fast Track Pavement Licence, which costs £100 and will be valid until 30 September 2023. The Local Authority has been informed that these Pavement Licences are to be extended until September 2024. Pavement licences applied for after the 14 August 2023 will be granted for the amended end date of the 30 September 2024.
The fast track application can be used for a pavement licence to put removable furniture on the highway adjacent to the premises. Premises for which an application can be made include pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants or other drinking establishment, and premises for the sale of food for consumption on or off the premises.
The new rules do not apply to crown land or land owned by Network Rail.
- If you are applying for a pavement licence to be located within a parking or loading bay please contact traffic@hounslow.gov.uk to enquire if the bay can be suspended prior to applying for a pavement licence as the bay must be suspended before a pavement licence could be issued.
- If you are applying for a pavement licence to be located in front of an adjacent premises you must provide written consent from the owner/occupier of the adjacent premise with your application. If this consent is removed, then the table and chairs must no longer be placed in front of the adjacent premise.
Operators wishing to apply or renew a Fast Track licence can do so by completing the online eform and making payment. Please note that the granting of a pavement licence only permits the placing of furniture on the highway. Other regulatory frameworks still apply such as the need for alcohol licences and the need to comply with registration requirements for food businesses.
The furniture which may be used is:
- Counters or stalls for selling or serving food or drink
- Tables, counters or shelves on which food or drink can be placed
- Chairs, benches or other forms of seating
- Umbrellas, barriers, heaters and other articles used in connections with the outdoor consumption of food and drink
- Furniture is required to be removable i.e. not a permanent fixed structure but able to be moved easily and stored away of an evening.
Before you apply, please note the following:
You will need to provide the following documents with your application:
- Detailed plan of the external areas showing dimensions, width, depth of area to be licensed and distance to the nearest street furniture and kerb.
- Specify the days of the week and times that you will have the furniture on the street
- Details of your public liability insurance to cover activities on the street
- If you are looking to place your pavement licence in a parking or loading bay ensure you have the bay suspended prior to applying
- If you are applying for a pavement licence to be located in front of an adjacent premises you must provide written consent from the owner/occupier of the adjacent premise with your application
- Fee of £100
- Unless all the required documents are provided as part of this application consultation will not begin. We will email you to request the relevant document(s) needed and once provided consultation will begin.
- The consultation period is 7 days beginning the day after the day the application is made and the applicant must:
On the day the application is made affix a notice in the front window of the premises so it is readily visible and can be read by the public.
Ensure the notice remains up until the end of the consultation.
The Council will provide the notice to you following receipt of your application. We recommend that you take a dated stamped photo of the notice at the start and at the end of your consultation period.
We will process your licence in 14 days from the day after the application is made (excluding public holidays). This consists of 7 days for public consultation and 7 days to consider and determine the application after the consultation.
If not heard back from council in 14 days, the application will deemed to be granted until 30 September 2024
Before determining an application, the Local Authority will:
- Consider any representations made
- Consult the Highways Authority
- Consult other such persons as the Local Authority considers appropriate.
- The Local Authority may grant or reject the application. If granted it can be for any or all of the purposes applied for and for some or all of the space applied for.
Things to consider when applying
The first and most important consideration is whether you have adequate outside space to use.
The Local Authority has an obligation to meet the requirements of Social Distancing and Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA 2005). This means that where your business is occupying pavement space, there must be a minimum of 1.5m unobstructed space between the outer edge of your tables and chairs space and the edge of the pavement or to the edge of another obstruction. This should be 2m on areas of high footfall but each case will be considered on its merits.
To apply online please use our form below
View site notice for pavement licences
Contact us
If you would like further information or advice:
