Pavement licence

Last Updated: 14 December 2023

Hospitality businesses like restaurants, pubs and cafes can apply for a pavement licence. This means they can put tables and chairs out on the pavement in front of their businesses and serve food and drink outside.

This is a temporary 'fast-track' application process, added to the existing pavement licensing rules to help boost the economy after COVID-19. The new arrangement will last until the end of September 2024.

Full details of this new provision including the; scope, application and determination process, conditions, enforcement and review procedures are set out in our Pavement Licensing Policy.

You can give your opinion and comment on a pavement licence through our pavement licence consultation.

Make a pavement licence application

At the start of the application form there will be a list of what you will need to complete the process. There is a fee of £100.00.

Apply for a pavement licence

Pavement licence consultation

Applications are consulted on for five working days (excluding public holidays).

Find who has applied for a licence and comment on the application

We will also consult with:

  • Westmorland & Furness Health and Environment Service (including Environmental Protection and Food and Safety Teams)
  • Cumbria Police
  • the appropriate county and district Local Ward Councillor(s) 
  • The appropriate Parish or Town Council
  • Westmorland and Furness Highways

Consultation time scales

Following the end of public five day consultation period, we have an additional five working days to issue a decision on an application. If no decision is issued within this 10 working day period the application is automatically granted.