Last updated: 03 July 2020
With the reopening of bars, cafes and restaurants in the city on the 4 July 2020, we are keen to support local businesses by offering the opportunity to extend their dining facilities out on the public highway with consent for tables and chairs.
We are also looking at alternative areas for businesses to use for outdoor dining, so welcome enquiries from interested businesses. Please see the link at the bottom for full contact details.
We are also offering the opportunity of offering a temporary 3-month licence, ideal for those sites where an alternative dining location is being explored as temporary measure but is not a fixed solution beyond the pandemic.
We will try to accommodate requests where possible but need to ensure social distancing and public safety is maintained.
Annual tables and chairs permits are already offered by the city council, but in light of the recent pandemic we are also offering a 3-month licence for £50, as an alternative with the opportunity to extend by 9 months if the business wishes to continue placing tables and chairs out on the highway, by paying the remaining £50 of the renewal fee. The 3-month licence period will begin once the consultation period of your application has finished, and you gain consent.
Cost
To assist businesses, we are offering reduced rates as set out below:
- Renewal of existing consent or new application is £100 for 12 months
- 3-month temporary consent is £50
- Extending the temporary 3-month consent to an overall 12-month consent is £50
- Amendments to an existing consent is free
How long does it take?
With new government announcements reducing the consultation process for tables and chairs consent, there is now a reduced consultation period of 5 working days after the application date, instead of 28 days.
Please note this consultation period will involve a visit to check the suitability of the site and any details after the application has been submitted.
Once the consultation process has concluded and no valid objections have been received, consent or rejection will be formalised within 5 days of the consultation period ending.
We are keen to work with businesses to get things right in this new normal, so enforcement action or revocation of the licence would only be necessary if there was a breach of the conditions it was issued under or complaints were received and could not be resolved.
We will monitor locations and address any issues if necessary, should complaints occur.
Where do I apply?
Application forms and further information, including conditions can be found on our tables and chairs permission page.
Licensing for alcohol sales
Similarly, recent government announcements now mean license holders with a valid licence to sell alcohol on their premises can temporarily extend this to include off premises, so customers can enjoy at drink at the premises new tables and chairs area.
Check your alcohol licensing details, which can be done via our public registers page or contact licensing@southampton.gov.uk
Additional information
Businesses must have current £5m public liability insurance.
Please note tables and chairs need to be in good order and must be stored in the premises overnight.
Our street cleansing teams are undertaking essential cleaning throughout the city, so please ensure areas are clean and clear to undertake cleansing unhindered and make sure any litter and recycling is disposed of. As both of the above are conditions of the consent being granted, this is enforceable and something we will monitor closely to ensure is being met by premises.
We do have some guidance on equipment and layouts below but will be flexible to accommodate businesses adapting to the situation.
Seated areas only will be considered, no vertical drinking areas.
Contact us
