Erewash Borough Council is set to consider removing pavement licence fees for cafés, pubs and restaurants – and refunding businesses that have already paid – in a move aimed at supporting the local hospitality sector.
The proposal will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s Licensing & Public Protection Committee on Thursday 12 February, starting at 6.30pm at Ilkeston Town Hall.
If approved, businesses would still need to apply for permission to place tables and chairs on the pavement outside their premises, but no application or renewal fee would be charged.
What is changing?
Under current arrangements, approved in August 2024, businesses applying for a pavement licence were charged:
- £400 for a new two-year licence
- £300 for a two-year renewal
- £50 non-refundable administration fee
Council officers are now recommending that these charges are removed entirely, using the council’s discretion under the Business and Planning Act 2020.
The report also proposes that any business that paid for a pavement licence after 30 August 2024 should receive a full refund. Six pavement licences have been issued so far, with refunds expected to total £2,400, funded through the Erewash Investment Fund.
Fees linked to enforcement – such as the removal or storage of furniture where rules are breached – would remain in place.
Why the change?
In the report to councillors, officers say the council is “mindful of the pressures being faced by the hospitality sector” and wants to reduce costs for local businesses while encouraging outdoor seating.
Outdoor tables and chairs can increase customer capacity and help create more active street scenes, particularly in town centre areas.
What stays the same?
Even if fees are removed:
- Businesses will still need to apply for a pavement licence
- Each application will be subject to public consultation
- Derbyshire County Council, as highways authority, and the police will be consulted
- Accessibility for pedestrians, wheelchair users and visually impaired people must be maintained
Licences would continue to run for a maximum of two years, in line with national legislation.
What happens next?
Councillors will decide whether to approve the changes at the committee meeting on 12 February. If agreed, the council’s Pavement Licensing Policy will be updated to reflect the removal of fees.