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Street cafes and outdoor seating areas

We are currently consulting on the introduction of a licensing scheme for tables and chairs placed on the highway by businesses for use by their customers.

If you are placing tables and chairs on a public highway you are required to obtain a licence from us under the Highways Act 1980. A highway includes both roads and pavements that are maintained by the local authority. The proposed scheme will not apply to tables and chairs operated by businesses on private land.

To assist with the introduction of the scheme we have produced draft guidelines for obtaining tables and chairs licences. These guidelines set out the requirements for obtaining a licence, describe the application process, outline the fees that will be charged and proposes the conditions that will be attached to licences issued.

We welcome your views on the proposals being made. If you have any comments you should send them in writing to our Licensing team.

For more information contact Licensing.

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