Pavement licences to be extended for a year

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said he intends to extend pavement licences for a further 12 months to support the recovery of hospitality industry and high streets.

In addition, measures introduced last year to support the reopening of high streets will also remain in place.

“We’re all looking forward to seeing pubs, cafes and restaurants open again as we start to gear up for what should be a great British summer,” Jenrick said.

“Therefore I’m delighted to announce an extension on temporary provisions for pavement licences for a further 12 months. This will give further certainty to businesses as they recover from the effects of the pandemic.”

Jenrick has also written to local authorities urging them to do ‘everything possible’ to help high streets re-open safely when restrictions lift.

Under measures already introduced, hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors from no earlier than 12 April. The measures that will remain in place as restrictions start to ease include:

• Relaxation of planning rules to allow pubs and restaurants to operate as takeaways.
• Greater flexibility for land to be used for temporary events, such as markets and motorsports.
• Planning freedoms to allow outdoor markets, marquees, pop-up car-boot sales or summer fairs without the need of a planning application.