Pavement licensing

A pavement licence allows cafes, pubs, ice cream parlours or restaurants that sell food to put tables, chairs or furniture on a public pavement.

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 items used in connection with the outdoor consumption of food and drink

We would also expect the type of furniture to be ‘in keeping’ with the local area.

We will only grant a pavement licence until 9 pm, all furniture must be removed after this time.

This licence does not allow you to serve alcohol if you do not have an alcohol licence. You would need to apply for a premises licence.

Apply

the following will be required to be submitted with the application:

  • a completed Application Form
  • a plan showing the location of the premises shown by a red line, so the application site can be clearly identified
  • a plan clearly showing the proposed area covered by the licence in relation to the highway, if not to scale, with measurements clearly shown.  The plan must show the positions and number of the proposed
  • tables and chairs, together with any other items that they wish to place on the highway. The plan shall include clear measurements of, for example, pathway width/length, building width and any other fixed item in the proposed area.
  • Details of the total number of seats (including existing seating), and the number of sanitary conveniences available, the proposed days of the week on which, and the times of day between which, it is proposed to put furniture on the highway.  Pavement licences will not be granted beyond 9pm. 
  • photos or brochures showing the proposed type of furniture and information on potential siting of it within the area applied;
  • (if applicable) reference of existing pavement licence currently under consideration by the local authority;
  • evidence that the applicant has met the requirement to give notice of the application (for example photographs of the notice outside the premises and of the notice itself);
  • a copy of a current certificate of insurance that covers the activity for third party and public liability risks, to a minimum value of £5 million, and
  • any other evidence needed to demonstrate how our local conditions, and any national conditions will be satisfied.

For pavement licence renewals (where there are no changes to an existing licence) we may reduce the above requirements.  

Once we have received and verified your application we will send you a public notice. You must display this notice at the premises and email us 2 photographs showing the notice on display. One of the photographs must show the detail of the notice and the other how it is displayed at the premises.

Example seating plan - select for a larger image. 

If you require this seating plan in an accessible format, please email licensing@arun.gov.uk

example seating plan

If applicable you’ll also need to provide:

  • the reference of any existing pavement licence under consideration by us
  • any other evidence needed to show how any conditions will be met

After selecting the button below you’ll need to:

  1. Have a credit or debit card for payment
  2. Create an account if you do not already have one.
  3. Select licensing.
  4. Select apply for a licence.
  5. Select Street Trading.
  6. Select New application or renewal
  7. Follow the onscreen instructions.

There is a fee for this service.

Apply for a pavement licence

What happens next

Applications are consulted upon for 14 days which start the day after we have received the application.

We will then publish details of the application on our website.

To see pavement licence applications you’ll need to choose pavement licence from the licence type dropdown.

We will also consult with the following:

  • Highways Authority
  • economic development department
  • environmental health department
  • property and estates department
  • planning department
  • West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
  • Sussex Police
  • local ward councillor(s)
  • parish or town council
  • Littlehampton Traders Partnership
  • Arundel Chamber of Commerce
  • Bognor Regis Business Improvement District

We must consider any representations received during the public consultation period.

Site assessment

We will undertake a site assessment before any licence is granted.

We will look at:

  • public health and safety
  • if the proposal will negatively impact on neighbours
  • accessibility

Determination

Once the application is submitted, we have 28 days from the day after the submission to decide the application.

The 28 days are:

  • 14 days public consultation
  • 14 days determination.

Decision

Following the determination period, we can decide on one of the following options:

  • grant the licence in respect of any or all of the purposes specified in the application
  • grant the licence for part or all of the highway specified in the application and impose conditions
  • refuse the application

If we do not decide the application within the 14 day period, then the application will be deemed to have been granted.

Licence duration

Businesses have the option of 1 year , 12 month licence or 2 year 24 month licence ( proof of Public Liability must be provided for 2nd year). For those business which hold a current Pavement Licence can also chose a 1 year or 2 year renewal.

Refusal of applications

If we consider an area is unsuitable for a pavement licence or if representations are made which cannot be lessened by conditions, we may refuse the application.

There is no statutory appeal process against our decision to refuse an application.

Enforcement

We may revoke the licence if we believe:

  • there has been a breach of condition
  • there are risks to public health and safety
  • the highway is being blocked
  • there is antisocial behaviour or public nuisance
  • the applicant gave false or misleading statements in their application
  • the applicant did not display the notice to the public for the relevant period

We may also revoke the licence where any part of the area which was licensed has become unsuitable. Where licences are revoked, we will give the reasons for the revocation.

Approved pavement licences

You can view all approved licences on our public register.

After selecting the button below you’ll need to choose pavement licence in the licence type field and then select search.

Search approved pavement licences