Pavement licences

If you would like to place tables, chairs, barriers, umbrellas or other removable furniture on the pavement outside your business, you may need a pavement licence.

A pavement licence allows eligible food and drink businesses, including cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars, to use part of the public highway adjacent to their premises for outdoor seating and service. The licensing regime is designed to support businesses while ensuring that pavements remain safe, accessible and convenient for pedestrians, including people with disabilities.

Before a pavement licence can be granted, every application is subject to a statutory public consultation period. Applicants must display a notice at their premises and allow local residents, businesses and other stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the proposal. This helps ensure that outdoor seating areas can operate safely while maintaining access for pedestrians and minimising impacts on the local area.

Before applying, you should familiarise yourself with the requirements set out in the relevant district council's pavement licensing policy, as well as Government guidance on pavement licences. Applications must demonstrate that sufficient space will remain for pedestrian movement and that the proposed use will not create safety, accessibility, noise or nuisance issues.

On this page, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about pavement licences, including who can apply, how the application process works, the documents and plans you will need to provide, consultation requirements, licence conditions and your responsibilities as a licence holder.

Before applying, you should also review your district council's pavement licensing policy and the Government's pavement licensing guidance.

Guidance, licensing policies, application forms, payment links, public notice templates, and advice on drawing up a suitable plan are on this page: Pavement Licences - more information.

Pavement Licence FAQs

Click a question to show the answer.

A pavement licence allows eligible businesses to place removable furniture such as tables, chairs, barriers and umbrellas on part of the public highway adjacent to their premises for customers to consume food and drink outdoors.


Businesses that use premises for the sale of food or drink for consumption on or off the premises may apply. This includes pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, snack bars and ice cream parlours. Some other businesses may also qualify where food and drink sales form part of their operation.


No. Businesses such as hairdressers and retail shops that do not use their premises for the sale of food or drink are not eligible for a pavement licence. They may need to seek permission from the highway authority under other legislation.


Permitted furniture may include:

  • Tables and chairs
  • Benches and seating
  • Counters or shelves used for food and drink
  • Umbrellas
  • Barriers
  • Heaters
  • Other items connected with the outdoor consumption of food and drink

All furniture must be removable.


Furniture must be capable of being moved easily and removed from the highway when not in use. Items fixed to the ground, pavement or building with bolts, screws or similar fixings would not normally be considered removable.


No. Advertising boards are not included within the statutory definition of furniture for pavement licences and may require separate permissions.


Furniture must be located on a relevant part of the public highway that is adjacent to the business premises. Each application is considered on its own merits.


The council will consider factors such as:

  • The distance between the proposed area and the premises
  • What lies between the premises and the proposed area
  • The impact on neighbouring businesses

A practical, case-by-case approach is applied.


Applications must be submitted using the Worcestershire Regulatory Services application form and emailed to enquiries@worcsregservices.gov.uk with all required supporting documents and proof of payment.

Application forms can be downloaded on this page: Pavement Licences - more information


Typically, applicants must provide:

  • A completed application form
  • A suitable site plan
  • Public liability insurance
  • Photographs or details of the proposed furniture
  • Any required neighbouring frontage consent
  • Proof of payment of the application fee

Applications are not treated as complete until all required information has been received.

More detailed information about what should be included with your application is contained in the licensing authority pavement licence policies. These can be found here: Pavement Licences - more information


You must provide evidence of public liability insurance with a minimum cover of £5 million.


The plan should clearly identify:

  • The licensed area
  • The relationship to the premises and highway
  • The location of tables, chairs and barriers
  • Nearby fixed features such as bollards, bins and street furniture
  • All relevant measurements and dimensions

The council provides an example plan to assist applicants. This can be fond on  this page: Pavement Licences - more information.


The pavement licensing regime requires councils to consult on applications before making a decision. This allows residents, neighbouring businesses, the highway authority, the police and other relevant stakeholders to comment on any potential impacts, such as highway obstruction, accessibility, public safety, noise or nuisance. The consultation process helps ensure that the needs of businesses are balanced with the interests of pedestrians and the wider community.


The public consultation period lasts for 14 days, beginning on the day after a complete application is made. During this period, comments and representations can be submitted to the council for consideration before a decision is reached.


Yes. Applicants must display a notice at their premises on the same day the application is submitted. The notice must be clearly visible and easily readable by members of the public. It must remain in place throughout the entire 14-day consultation period.

A public notice template is available on this page: Pavement Licences - more information


Depending on the circumstances, the council may consult:

  • Worcestershire County Council (the highway authority)
  • West Mercia Police
  • Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
  • Environmental Health Officers at Worcestershire Regulatory Services
  • Economic Development Officers / Town Centre Managers
  • The Business Improvement District (BID) if there is one
  • The relevant Ward Member(s) for the District Council.

The council will consider factors including:

  • Public safety
  • Accessibility
  • Highway obstruction
  • Impact on neighbouring occupiers
  • Crime and disorder
  • Noise nuisance
  • The needs of disabled people and other highway users

The Secretary of State's guidance places significant emphasis on ensuring that pavement licences do not impede access for disabled people. Sufficient clear pedestrian routes must be maintained, and furniture must not create barriers, hazards or confusion for visually impaired people, wheelchair users or other pavement users.

A link to the Secretary of State guidance is on this page: Pavement Licences - more information


Yes. Applications may be refused where the proposed use would:

  • Obstruct pedestrian movement
  • Create safety risks
  • Cause nuisance
  • Adversely affect disabled people
  • Conflict with local policy requirements

The council must determine the application within 14 days of the consultation period ending.


If the statutory determination period expires without a decision, the licence is generally deemed to have been granted, subject to statutory and local conditions.


Under the Secretary of State's guidance, licences may be granted for periods of up to two years. The actual duration will be specified on the licence.


Yes. Conditions may relate to:

  • Hours of operation
  • Layout of furniture
  • Accessibility requirements
  • Public safety
  • Cleanliness and waste management
  • Noise control

Statutory conditions also apply automatically.


The licence holder must ensure that the licensed area:

  • Remains safe
  • Is kept clean and tidy
  • Does not obstruct the highway
  • Does not create nuisance or disturbance
  • Continues to comply with licence conditions

Yes. Councils have powers to revoke licences where conditions are breached, the highway is obstructed, the activity causes problems, or it becomes necessary in the public interest.


Each Worcestershire district council has adopted its own pavement licensing policy statement. Applicants should review the policy for the district in which their premises are located before applying.

Links to the policies can be found on this page: Premises Licences - more information


A pavement licence only authorises the placement of furniture on the highway. Other permissions, including planning or advertising consents, may still be required depending on the circumstances.