Tables and chairs licence

If you want to put tables, chairs or other temporary furniture on the pavement, you will need a licence.

There are now two ways in which you can get permission to place tables and chairs on the pavement. You can use either the:

• existing tables and chairs licence under the Highways Act 1980 (detailed below)
• new and quicker pavement licence application under the Business and Planning Act 2020

The new pavement licence was introduced under the Business and Planning Act 2020 on 23 July 2020 to support businesses to operate safely while social distancing measures remain in place and make it simpler and quicker to apply for a licence.

The pavement licensing regime will be in place until 30 September 2024.

Apply

To apply for a licence, you need to:

• read the tables and chairs licence conditions (pdf)
• complete the tables and chairs licence application form (pdf)
• send the application form to the Licensing team
• provide a copy of public liability insurance cover
• provide a plan showing the area where you want to place the tables and chairs.
• provide details of the furniture you want to use
• pay the £175 fee (plus £22 per table and £15 per chair)

Once we receive your application, we will:

• acknowledge it within 5 working days
• consult other relevant authorities, such as Essex Police
• allow people to make representations

If we receive any representations, we will consider them and make a decision on whether to grant the licence.

If we do not receive any representations, we will grant the licence.

If we grant your licence, it will be valid for a maximum of a year. 

Renew

To renew a licence, you need to:

• complete the tables and chairs renewal application form (pdf)
• send the application form to the Licensing team
• pay the renewal fee (£21 per table and £14 per chair)

Vary

If you want to make a variation to your licence, you will need to:

• complete the tables and chairs variation application form (pdf)
• send the application form to the Licensing team
• pay the fee of £21 per table and £14 per chair and £50 (if no consultation is required) or £100 (if consultation is required)