Rayleigh has its fair share of cafes, bars and restaurants, so struggling business owners may well welcome the news that applications for ‘pavement licences’ will be temporarily fast tracked.
The Business and Planning Act 2020 that came into force this week introduces a quick consent route to allow cafes, bars and restaurants to obtain a licence to place temporary furniture outside of their premises subject to certain location restrictions.
https://www.highstreetstaskforce.org.uk/news/temporary-streamlined-process-for-pavement-licences-becomes-law/
I think this is a good idea for a couple of reasons, the first being that we live in the UK – let’s be honest, the chance to utilise any outdoor space is really going to be hit and miss with our unpredictable weather, so when the sun is out, why not ‘fill yer boots’?
Secondly, let’s face it, many restaurants are a little on the ‘snug’ side with their seating arrangements. If you want to put your clientele at ease, you need to give them a little space and that space comes at the cost of profit.
If local businesses that are interested in a ‘pavement license’ and wish to apply the Government guidance says it should all be sorted in 10 days for £100
I will be writing to our Council officers to ask them to ensure that this scheme is proactively communicated to all our hospitality traders in the District.
