Shropshire Star

Pavement licensing scheme opens for Telford bars, cafes and restaurants

Bars, cafés and restaurants in Telford can now apply for pavement licences to help them safely operate outdoors in line with social distancing guidelines.

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The licence will allow businesses to put tables and chairs on the pavement adjacent to their business after changes to national regulations late last week.

The licences will cost £25 for anyone who applies before August 31 and £100 after that.

The scheme aims to help those businesses where indoor capacity is limited to meet safe social distancing requirements, to increase their trading space with outdoor seating areas for customers.

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Any business interested can apply now at telford.gov.uk/pavementlicence and the council is required to determine valid applications within seven days following a short public consultation.

Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet lead for licensing, said: “It’s now more important than ever to shop local and support our high streets.

"We are delighted to be able to offer this as these licences give a real opportunity for businesses whose capacity is limited by the need to meet social distancing requirements and providing they can operate in a safe manner.

“In addition our work to create a safe and welcoming environment in our town centres, more pavement seating for bars, cafes and restaurants could also help provide a very different feel to our high streets and make these even more attractive places for people to visit with businesses operating safely.

“We’ve made the application process as simple as possible so that businesses can make the most of this opportunity.

"To support local businesses the council has reduced the licence fee to £25 for anyone applying before August 31.”

The council is already contacting those businesses who had previously expressed an interest in the scheme.

Any business wanting more information on the application process should contact licensing@telford.gov.uk

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