Pavement licence

Any person whose primary business premises are used or proposed to be used for the sale or consumption of food and drink on or off the premises can apply for a Pavement Licence to permit the outdoor selling and/or consumption of food and drink from tables, chairs and/or other temporary furniture on the pavement adjacent to their primary business premises. More information on this type of permission can be found further down this page.

Any person wishing to obstruct the highway for any other reason must apply to Cambridgeshire County Council for permission.  More information can be found at Cambridgeshire County Council.

Apply online

Alternatively you can download and complete the application form, this form must be completed, signed, and sent to the Licensing team by email. No paper applications can be accepted.

Email: licensing@eastcambs.gov.uk 

Business and Planning Act 2020

Applicants may apply to the Council for permission under the Business and Planning Act 2020 to place temporary furniture on the highway (pavement), where the placing of this furniture is adjacent to their business premises.

  • this permission can only be used for the purpose of selling or consuming food and drink in connection with the activity of the main premises, which itself must be a food and drink selling business 
  • all applications must be made electronically, this is a requirement of the legislation 
  • all applications are subject to a 14 day public consultation commencing the day after the day the application is made 
  • decisions must be made by the Council by the end of the 14th day commencing the day after the consultation period ends 
  • tacit consent will apply if the Council does not determine a valid application within the above time frames 
  • there is no right of appeal if the application is refused 
  • a Pavement Licence can be revoked 
  • licences will last for two years (unless stipulated otherwise)
  • a fee of £500 is payable for new licences and £350 for licence renewals 

Pavement licence conditions 

In accordance with section 5 of the Business and Planning Act 2020 the Council has published a list of conditions that will be attached to all Pavement Licences. This document includes the two National Conditions relating to smoke free provisions and not causing an obstruction.  All Pavement Licences both granted and deemed (i.e. obtained by tacit consent) will be required to comply with these at all times. 

Policy and guidance 

National guidance