The government introduced a simplified, streamlined process under the Business and Planning Act 2020 for establishments such as cafes, restaurants and bars to apply for a licence to place furniture on the highway to safely provide additional outdoor seating whilst social distancing measures were in place. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act makes permanent the pavement licensing regime under the Business and Planning Act 2020, with a number of changes. It introduces a standard fee cap for both new and renewals of licences as well as increased consultation and determination periods, lengthens the maximum duration of licences and provides local authorities with new powers to remove unlicenced furniture.
Please familiarise yourself with Blackpool Council’s pavement licence policy before applying.
Apply for a pavement licence
The fee for a pavement licence under the Business and Planning Act effective June 2025 is £500 for a new licence and £350 for a renewal.
You will need to submit the following supporting documents with your application:
- Plan of the proposed area to be used
- The proposed days of the week on which, and the times of day between which, it is proposed to put furniture on the highway
- Evidence of the right to occupy the premises (e.g. the lease)
- Photographs or a brochure of the proposed furniture
- Copy of your public liability insurance (Minimum value £1,000,000)
- Evidence that the applicant has met the requirement to give notice of the application (for example photographs of the notice outside the premises and of the notice itself)
- Any other evidence needed to demonstrate how the council’s local conditions, and any national conditions will be satisfied
On receipt of an acceptable application we will contact you to take your payment by debit/credit card.
You must then advertise the application by displaying a site notice at the premises for 15 days (see Policy note 3.3). A template site notice is available on request.
Current applications
None at this time