Street cafés and outdoor seating

You will need to apply for a street cafe licence under the Highways Act 1980 if your business:

• does not sell food or drink and;
• you want to place removable furniture on the highway outside your premises during your normal trading hours

You need to read and understand the requirements set out on this page before you submit an application for a licence. We cannot proceed with your application unless you give us all the information we need. 

You should talk to neighbouring businesses and occupiers about your intention to apply for a pavement licence. You will need to take into consideration any issues they raise about noise, nuisance or any other disturbances when you submit your application. 

Street café permission only relates to furniture placed on a public highway. 

Furniture on private land is not covered by the Highways Act legislation and as such no permission from the Licensing Authority is required.  

Please read our guidance document for further information. 

More information about the fees related to this licence can be found in our fees and charges booklet. 

To apply for street cafe permission, we will need:

• details of the premises and the area which will be used for the pavement licence
• details of the type of furniture (tables, chairs, umbrellas etc.) which will be used in the area
• days and times in the week that the licence will be used for 
• photographs or brochures of the proposed furniture
• proof of £5m public liability insurance which clearly shows that the area designated for use is fully insured
• details of how you will make sure the area is safe and accessible e.g. barriers with tapping rails for the visually impaired
• any other information we request to support your application

Consultation

There is a 28 day consultation period for the grant of new street café licence. Applicants are required to display a notice at the premises for the duration of the consultation. This notice must be clearly visible to members of the public. 

Please refer to the guidance notes on this page for further information.

All applications will be considered on their own merits. 

Valid applications will be subject to 28 days of public consultation before a decision is made.  

Valid applications will also be referred to relevant departments within the council. This may include:

• Avon and Somerset Constabulary
• Avon Fire and Rescue
• the appropriate town or local parish council
• any other agencies we deem appropriate for comment 

Any comments received, which remain unresolved, will be assessed for relevancy by licensing officers. If deemed appropriate the application will be put before the licensing sub-committee for decision. 

Where no relevant representations are received, or relevant representations are resolved by negotiation, applications may be approved by licensing officers under delegated authority arrangements. 

Permission will be granted for a maximum of one year.