Apply for a pavement licence

A pavement licence is a licence granted by the Council, or deemed to have been granted, which allows the licence holder to place removable furniture over certain highways adjacent to the premises in relation to which the application was made, for the purposes of selling or serving food and drink to customers.

A business which uses (or proposes to use) premises for the sale of food or drink for consumption (on or off the premises) can apply for a licence. Businesses that are eligible include:

• public houses
• cafes
• bars
• restaurants
• snack bars
• coffee shops
• ice cream parlours.

We will consider your application for a pavement licence in accordance with the standard conditions (below).

Licences can only be granted in respect of highways listed in section 115A(1) Highways Act 1980. Generally, these are footpaths restricted to pedestrians or are roads and places to which vehicle access is restricted or prohibited. Highways maintained by Network Rail or over the Crown land are exempt (so a licence cannot be granted).

Type of furniture permitted

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; and
• umbrellas, barriers, and other articles used in connection with the outdoor consumption of food or drink (subject to standard conditions – see below).

This furniture is required to be removable, which in principle means it is not a permanent fixed structure, and is able to be moved easily, and stored away of an evening. We would also expect the type of furniture to be ‘in keeping’ with the local area.

How to apply for a pavement licence

Please apply using our online application form.

if you have difficulty using our online application form, you can alternatively download the below Word document and send it to licensing@lewisham.gov.uk.

Please complete the application form and send it to licensing@lewisham.gov.uk

Supporting information

The following information will be required to be submitted alongside your application:

• the required fee of £100, paid by credit or debit card
• proof of identity and right to work
• a plan showing the location of the premises shown by a red line, so the application site can be clearly identified (please use an OS Base Map)
• a plan clearly showing the proposed area to be 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 the applicant wishes 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.
• proof of right to occupy (or lease)
• a risk assessment demonstrating how the applicant will manage social distancing and the conflict between pedestrians using the footway, those using the tables and those queuing to access the premises
• photos or brochures showing the proposed type of furniture and information on potential siting of it within the area applied for
• (if applicable) reference of existing forecourt or tables and chairs licence currently under consideration by the local authority
• 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
• any other evidence you wish to provide to demonstrate how our local conditions and any national conditions will be satisfied.

Fees

The fee for applying for a pavement licence is £100. Application fees must accompany the application in order for the application to be considered valid and for the consultation period to commence.

You can pay your fee by using the button below. On the webform, use the premises name as a reference number.

Standard conditions

Please read the standard conditions before submitting your application.

Consultation

Applications are consulted upon for seven days, starting the day after the day on which a valid application was made.

We will publish details of the application on our website.

We are required by law to consult with the Highways Authority. In addition, to ensure that there are no detrimental effects from the application, we consult with:

• Lewisham Planning Authority
• Lewisham Highways Authority
• Lewisham Environmental Crime Team
• Metropolitan Police
• London Fire Brigade
• Lewisham Ward Councillors
• Lewisham Business Crime Reduction Partnership
• Food Safety Team
• Local resident and amenity groups.

Members of the public and others listed above can contact us to make representations. We must take into account representations received during the public consultation period and consider these when determining the application.

Site Notice

The applicant is required to affix a notice to the premises, so it is easily visible and legible to the public on the day they submit the application to us. They must ensure the notice remains in place for the public consultation period which is the period of seven days beginning with the day after the day the application is submitted to the licensing authority. When counting the seven days, public holidays are not included. Evidence of compliance with the site notice requirement must be supplied to us.

The Site Notice must:

• state that the application has been made and the date on which it was made
• state the statutory provisions under which the application is made
• state the address of the premises and name of the business
• describe the proposed use of the furniture
• indicate that representations relating to the application may be made to us during the public consultation period and when that period comes to an end
• state our website where the application and any accompanying material can be viewed during the consultation period
• state the address to which representations should be sent during the consultation period
• the end date of the consultation (seven days starting the day after the application is submitted to the authority).

You can download a template Site Notice below.

Current applications

Read about current applications.

Considering new ways of operating?

• how to makes changes to the way your business operates