Street café guidance
Placing furniture on the public road without permission is considered an obstruction and may result in enforcement action.
What the permit covers
A permit allows you to occupy a defined area of the adopted road, footway, or footpath. It does not grant permission for other activities such as:
- alcohol sales (you must apply separately for a licence)
- building works or signage
Approval of other permits (for instance planning or licensing) does not guarantee permission for a pavement café.
Key conditions
Location and layout:
- pavement cafés may be considered on footways, footpaths, and other public access areas
- the café area must be clearly defined in your application and must not be exceeded without written approval
- a minimum clear width of 1.8m must be maintained between the café and the carriageway.
- wider clearances may be required on busy streets or pedestrianised areas
- if the café is directly in front of your premises, a 1.5m wide access corridor to your entrance must be maintained
Barriers and safety
The café must be enclosed by a physical barrier at least 0.6m high, with a low-level kickboard detectable by a white cane. You must ensure:
- barriers are freestanding (not fixed to the ground) and approved by us
- that no freestanding signs or objects are outside the barrier
- that all furniture and barriers are removed promptly after trading hours
Insurance and liability
You must:
- hold public liability insurance of £5 million per event
- submit a valid insurance certificate with your application and maintained throughout the permit period
Failure to maintain insurance will result in immediate withdrawal of permission
Permit duration and fees
Permits are typically issued for 12 months. You must reapply annually, confirming that the café layout has not changed.
Do not send payment with your application - an invoice will be issued upon approval.
Temporary suspension
We reserve the right to suspend or revoke permission at any time for:
- emergency access
- street works
- other operational needs
If permission is suspended for more than 4 continuous weeks, a refund may be considered.