Tables and chairs licensing: supporting al fresco hospitality in Kensington and Chelsea
The council recognises the positive contribution that outdoor hospitality makes to enlivening our streets and creating attractive and successful places for residents and visitors to enjoy. The council will support proposals for outdoor seating areas that are consistent with the Local Plan and that:
- add to the attractiveness and vitality of our streets and spaces
- enhance the quality of life of neighbours and the wider community
- do not impede pedestrian movement
- do not impact significantly on residential amenity
- do not impact significantly on visual amenity
- are safe
British Summer Time Licensing, a scheme that facilitates al fresco dining on temporary footway extensions during the period of Daylight Saving Time is explained in the document below:
There are two alternative means of licensing outdoor furniture:
- pavement licence for hospitality businesses
- tables and chairs licence for non-hospitality businesses
Pavement licence
A pavement licence allows hospitality businesses to place tables and chairs on pavements and closed roads outside cafes, restaurants, public houses, bars and shops, provided pedestrians can walk safely without being obstructed:
- a licence may be granted for up to 1 year
- the application fee for a new grant is £500
- the application fee for the renewal or change to an exisiting licence of £350, provided the application is made by the existing licence holder. If the application is made by a different applicant, the new application fee will apply
- application fees are non-refundable
- planning permission is not required
For more information and how to apply visit Apply for a pavement licence.
Tables and chairs licence
This licence allows non-hospitality businesses, such as hair and beauty salons to place tables and chairs on pavements and highways outside their premises provided pedestrians can walk safely without being obstructed:
- a tables and chairs licence is valid for 12 months.
- the annual fees for placing tables and chairs on a public highway from 1 April 2024 are:
| Application fee | £587 |
|---|---|
| Fee per chair | £24 |
| Additional charge beyond 9pm | £287 |
- where the tables and chairs are to be placed on a:
- publicly maintained highway, planning permission is required
- privately maintained highway, you do not need planning permission but you do need to apply for a tables and chairs licence.
For more information and how to apply visit Apply for a tables and chairs licence.