It was music to everyone’s ears when the Government announced, that from April 12th, pubs and restaurants can reopen their outdoor areas for food and drink.
But many venues were left wondering how they could accommodate al fresco dining without outdoor seating.
Fortunately, ‘pavement licences’ for pubs, restaurants and cafes have been extended in certain areas of the country, to help the hospitality industry when it reopens, allowing venues to create an outdoor seating area on public footpaths next to the business.
Steps you need to take:
In order to serve customers outside of their venue on April 12th and onwards, pubs, restaurants and cafes will have to apply for a licence, costing a maximum of £100, to put removable furniture on the front pathways directly outside their venues.
- Business owners will need to check their local council pages for ’Pavement Consent Application & Renewal’ to see if they qualify for the planning permission.
- Once the planning permission has been granted, you will need to start thinking about your outdoor space – how many seats and tables it can hold, how many covers you can accommodate and if it’s suitable for all weather conditions.
- If you only have internal seating, it will be worth investing in external tables and chairs, along with waterproof awnings or table covers.
- Although the road to normality is drawing closer, Covid-19 measures still need to be in place to create a safe environment for customers to dine. Make sure sanitiser points are easily accessible; that tables and chairs are adequately socially distanced and that contactless payment is available to reduce consumer movement.
How we can help:
At CDS Wilman, we are well-equipped with all areas of interior design, including exterior design, so if you need help creating a temporary or permanent outdoor dining space – we can help!
Our spatial designers are here to help venues create a contemporary yet safe restaurant, hospitality or creative workspace in a post-pandemic world.
Get in touch today on 0161 848 3900 or email us on enquire@cds-wilman.com to find out more.
