Street cafe licence

The Business and Planning Act 2020 as amended by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
With effect from 31/03/2024 the above Acts have introduced a permanent change to the way most local authorities authorise the placing of tables and chairs on the public highway. Reading Borough Council is currently working on a new street pavement cafe policy. Please note, this page only applies to businesses wanting to provide tables and chairs on the public highway in connection with consumption of food and drink. Any premises that does not sell food or drink, for example, a salon, will need to apply for authorisation under the Highways Act 1980. Please email highways@reading.gov.uk.

You can read the government guidance. In addition to this, please read our policy and guidance information.

You will need to ensure you operate within our street pavement cafe conditions and ensure that you meet the street pavement cafe pre-application checklist.

Any applications for a licence beyond 11pm will only be considered if your premises employs SIA door security and the use of the tables and chairs is included in your risk assessment. Any applications for beyond midnight will be objected to and a committee hearing will be arranged.

How to apply

You must apply online. The fees for this application are:

First time grant:

Up to 2 tables – £300
3 to 10 tables – £350
Over 10 tables – £500

Renewals:

Up to 10 tables – £200
Over 10 tables – £350

On the date of application you must erect a public notice and ensure that the notice remains on display for 14 days, following the date of application. This notice must be displayed where it can be easily read by passing members of the public at any time. Failure to do so will invalidate your application and require you to resubmit your application.

Following the 14 day consultation, the council will have 14 days to determine the application.

Duration of licence

All pavement cafe licences shall be granted for a period of 2 years unless there is a justifiable reason to grant them for a lesser period.

Current street pavement café licence applications

Applicant	Premises	Application type	Closing date for representations
Reading Coffee Makers Ltd	CUP Speciality Coffee & Tea, 7 Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1PJ	Application for the grant of a street pavement licence for 5 tables and 7 chairs on Monday to Sunday, 0700hrs to 1700hrs	12/02/2025

The consultation period is 14 days from the date of application. If you wish to know more about any application or if you would like to make a representation, please email
licensing@reading.gov.uk. If making a representation, you must state the grounds for your objection. Any representations received after the consultation period will not be considered.