Swindon & Wiltshire News
Wiltshire council waives fees to bring post-lockdown cafe culture back to town centres
Pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants, snack bars, and ice-cream parlours that want to serve customers on the pavement outside their premises when lockdown restrictions ease will not be asked to pay to apply for a licence.
Wiltshire Council has opted not to charge businesses for the licence application, but have urged business owners to submit their applications as soon as possible to ensure they can reopen on April 12 – the earliest date that hospitality venues can reopen to the public.
Temporary pavement licences can be issued to premises for the sale of food or drink for consumption, and once approved, they allow eligible businesses to put tables and chairs on the public highway outside their premises to trade safely.
Licences normally run for 12 months, and holders of licences from earlier in the pandemic are urged to check their expiry dates.
Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “As lockdown is eased and more businesses can reopen, we want to give Wiltshire’s hospitality venues the opportunity to apply for temporary pavement licences in plenty of time for their proposed earliest reopening date on 12 April.
“We could charge for this service, but we are offering the licences free of charge as we want to do all we can to support Wiltshire businesses. I would urge all eligible businesses to apply as soon as possible so they can take advantage of the opportunity to trade again safely.”
The application form can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/licences-permits-temporary-pavement-licences
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