Many businesses like have successfully reopened and everyone is working hard to do this safely and help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

We just wanted to ensure that you are aware of the Government requirement that you must apply for a temporary pavement licence if you wish to place temporary furniture, such as tables and chairs, for customers to eat or drink while outside your premises on the highway.

The Government has introduced this measure to provide a streamlined consent route to allow businesses to obtain a licence to place temporary furniture outside of premises quickly.

The licence will allow businesses to expand their available space for customers and enable them to trade in a safe Covid-secure environment.

Businesses eligible for a pavement licence include public houses, cafés, bars, restaurants, snack bars, coffee shops or ice cream parlours.

A pavement licence will be granted subject to local and national conditions. In North Tyneside, the local conditions include the provision of at least 1.5 metres of unobstructed footpath width (for a street with a footpath and road) or at least 1.8 metres of unobstructed footpath width (for a fully pedestrianised street).

For more information about the conditions and to find out how to apply for a temporary pavement licence visit https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/949/apply-pavement-licence

Applications cost £100 and are subject to a seven-day consultation period. If granted, the licence will be valid until 30 September 2021, unless specified. Applications are displayed on the website above until the end of the consultation period.

Please be aware that you must not put any furniture on the pavement outside your premises if you do not have existing permission. We are visiting businesses in the borough to ensure that any who are doing so do have the correct permissions in place.

It is the business owner’s responsibility to ensure that they are operating a Covid-secure environment.  This will include the use of outdoor space:

• Enhanced cleaning for all street furniture
• Keep a temporary record of customers for 21 days to assist NHS Test and Trace requests for data if needed.

Further information about temporary pavement licences is also available from the Government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pavement-licences-draft-guidance

We would like to thank you for your continued efforts in helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus. If you have any questions about temporary pavement licences, please do not hesitate to get in touch: Telephone (0191) 643 6131 or Email [email protected]

Public Protection

North Tyneside Council