Pavement licences
This new process has been introduced following the Business and Planning Act 2020. It makes it cheaper for businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars to secure a licence to place furniture on the highway. It will help them operate safely while social distancing measures are still in place. This will provide much needed income over the summer months and is intended to protect as many hospitality jobs as possible.
A pavement licence is a licence granted by the local authority, which allows the licence-holder to place removable furniture over certain highways adjacent to the premises for which the application was made, for specific purposes. This process allows businesses to secure these licences in time for the summer and, where they have been granted, allows these licences to remain in place for a year (but not beyond 30 September 2021). Where a pavement licence is granted, clear access routes on the highway will need to be kept, taking into account the needs of all users, including disabled people.
If you wish to place removable furniture on certain highways, you must first be granted a licence from the Council to do this. It is illegal for structures to be placed on the highway without prior approval.
For any enquiries about Pavement Licences, contact the Licensing team:
- email them at licensing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or
- call them on 023 9283 4572.
