Pavement display licence
If you want to display goods for sale on the pavement outside of your shop, you will need a licence. This includes items such as cut flowers, fruit and vegetables, clothing or other wares. If you want to place removable furniture outside your business, you will need to apply for a pavement licence.
Approval is not guaranteed, and you must wait for a licence before placing any furniture or displays on the highway.
How to apply
Applications and payment can only be made online. We will need you to upload documentation during your application. This will include:
- proof of public liability insurance covering at least £5 million. The evidence we require is for public liability insurance not employers' liability insurance. Failure to supply the correct document can result in your application being refused.
- a detailed plan including the dimensions of the highway and the dimensions of the proposed pavement display. This does not have be to scale. The plan should also include any street furniture, for example, litter bins, signposts, street lighting columns, benches and bicycle stands. If there is tactile paving this should also be indicated on the plan. See example plan.
We recommend that you prepare these document in advance and have them ready to upload when you complete your application. You will also need a credit/debit card to make payment.
Apply for a pavement display licence
What you need to know
Displays will only be permitted to be placed on the highway during the times specified on your licence and must be removed at the end of each day.
Licences are granted for 12 months, to the individual or company who make the application.
There are standard terms and conditions which apply to all pavement display highway licences. We may add additional/special conditions to a licence in certain circumstances. Please make sure that you read and understand each of the conditions before applying.
In particular, we would draw your attention to the following conditions:
Condition 1 - requires a minimum unobstructed footpath width of 1.8 meters to be maintained for authorised displays
Condition 6 - requires that displays of goods must not be placed within 2 meters of any tactile paving
Condition 12 - relates to the maximum permitted height and projection of authorised displays
If you break the terms and conditions of your licence, you will be given notice to remedy it. If you do not take action, the council will undertake works to remedy the breach and will charge you for any costs incurred.
Fees
The cost of processing an application is £47.29. This will not be refunded if your application is rejected.
After you have applied
The application will be subject to a public consultation period of no less than 28 days. This begins the day after you submit your application. You will need to display a notice at the premises for the 28-day period. The notice must be prominently displayed where it can be conveniently read from the exterior of the premises.