The government introduced a temporary pavement licensing scheme in 2020 that enabled the placement of removable furniture on the highways next to premises for the sale, service, and consumption of food and drink.
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 makes permanent the provisions set out in the Business and Planning Act (BPA) 2020.
A pavement licence allows businesses to use some of the space outside their premises to provide more seats for customers who wish to have a table meal or consume alcohol seated (subject to the business holding a premises licence or temporary event notice under the Licensing Act 2003).
Planning permission is not required for pavement licences.