Pavement licences

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 came into effect on 31 March 2024. The provisions introduce a permanent pavement licensing regime in England to replace the temporary provisions introduced by the Business and Planning Act 2020. This permanent regime retains the key features of the 2020 regime, and contains provisions relating to Pavement Licences aimed at streamlining the route for eligible businesses such as cafés, restaurants and coffee shops etc to apply for licences to place furniture on the highway.

Licences can only be granted in respect of highways listed in section 115A(1) Highways Act 1980. Generally, these are footpaths restricted to pedestrians or are roads and places to which vehicle access is restricted or prohibited.

Full guidance is available here at GOV.UK.

Before you apply

Please read through the guidance notes, which can be found at the end of the application form, before completing.

• Pavement licence application form and guidance notes (PDF)
• Site Notice (PDF)
• Pavement licence conditions (PDF)

Fees

The fee is £500 for a new application, and £350 for a renewal. 

The application must be submitted via email to licensing@bedford.gov.uk and cannot be accepted via post or hand delivered. 

The fee must be paid via our website the same date as submitting the application. Please note the fee is non-refundable should your application be refused. 

The site notice must be completed and displayed by you on the day the application is submitted via email.

Pay for a licence

You can pay for your licence online here:

Pay for a pavement licence

Pending pavement licence applications 

GDPR and privacy statements

View the full privacy statement for street trading and highways tables and chairs and pavement licences.