'A' boards, shop displays and pavement cafes

 ‘A’ boards, shop displays, pavement cafes and other items displayed on the highway

Licence

Section 115 of the Highways Act 1980 (as amended) gives Local Authorities’ powers to licence and regulate items displayed on the highway.

Businesses must obtain permission from the Council to place an ‘A’ board, shop front display, pavement cafe or any other display item on the highway. This is to ensure that items are not placed in locations or in such a manner that adversely affects free passage or creates a hazard or danger to pedestrians and other highway users.

In the interests of highway safety tacit consent does not apply and items should not be placed on the highway unless consent has been granted.

When considering applications the width of footway remaining after the items or display have been erected will be a major factor in determining the application. The following minimum widths will normally apply.

• Remaining footway width 2.0m (2.5m in busy or heavily trafficked locations) these dimensions will be increased by 1.0m adjacent to pedestrian crossing points.
• Minimum clear route for emergency vehicle within pedestrianised areas 3.5m

‘A’ boards, external shop displays, pavement cafes and other items

The Council will consider applications to place ‘A’ boards, shop front displays, tables and chairs and other items on the highway and will undertake an assessment of suitability based upon the size and location of the items, the width of footway and any other relevant matters. Consultations will be undertaken with adjacent frontages and other interested parties. Permission to locate items remote from the business will not be granted.

For ‘A’ Boards permission will also not normally be granted in locations where the Highway Roadside Advertising scheme operates.

For Pavement Cafes, Planning Permission and/or Listed Building Consent may also be required for change of the use of the land. There will be a separate fee for this and planning approval must be obtained before an application will be considered. Further information about applying for planning permission is available online at the Planning Portal

Applying for and the granting of a licence

Businesses will need to complete an application form detailing the exact location, type and size of items to be placed on the highway. An application fee may apply, as detailed below.

Licences for ‘A’ boards, shop front displays and other item will normally be valid for 2 years. Pavement Café licences must be renewed annually.

Apply online

• 'A' boards, shop front display, or other display item

You may apply for an 'A' boards, shop front display, or other display item licence online here through Business Link

To apply to change details to an existing ''A' board, shop display or other display item' licence you can apply online through Business Link. 

You may apply for a renewal of a licence for a  'A' board, shop display or other display item through Business Link.

Please read the information contained here and in the Guidance Notes and Standard Rules for A Boards, shop front display or other display item before making an application.

• Pavement Cafe

You may apply for a Pavement Cafe licence online here through Business Link 

You can amend an existing Pavement Café licence through Business Link.  

Please read the information contained here and in the Guidance Notes and Standard Rules for Pavement Cafes before making an application.

You will be required to provide proof of Public Liability Insurance, usually a minimum of £2,000,000 (two million pounds) that covers you to place items on the highway.

We will aim to deal with your application within a period of 8 weeks from the date your application is made valid. Should you fail to receive a decision by the end of this period, you should contact Streetscene. You must not assume that the licence has been granted before receiving confirmation from the Council.

All licences issued will be subject to Standard Rules and various other conditions designating boundaries, sizes and locations of items. The licence remains valid only if all rules and conditions are complied with. A licence may be revoked if the holder breaches any of the conditions or rules of the licence, in addition to any actions that the Council may take by virtue of statute or legislation.

How much are the fees?

The following application and annual fees apply;

• ‘A’ Board and shop front display licences will be free providing you can meet ALL of the Standard Rules;
• For all other ‘A’ boards, shop front displays and any other item (but excluding pavement cafes), there will be an initial £50 fee payable in respect of each item to be displayed for the 1st year with subsequent years charged at £40 per item;
• Pavement Cafes – 1st year (including initial fee and application, total maximum` area of 6m2) is £300 and subsequent years £150. Any area above 6m2 will be charged at an additional £20 per m2 for the initial application with subsequent years charged at £15 per m2

In most circumstances the application fees are non refundable even if you are refused permission. For pavement cafes the fee will be refunded minus the £75 initial application fee.

If refused you will receive a written explanation why. If you are unhappy with this decision you should contact Streetscene using the details on the right.

Exemptions

Charity shops are exempt from payment of fees but must still complete an application form and adhere to any Rules and Conditions applied.

What happens if I fail to apply for a licence?

The Council can remove any unauthorised items including ‘A’ boards, shop displays or pavement cafes where it is satisfied that they are causing an immediate danger on the highway, without notice being issued to the owner. In other circumstances the owner will be formally “noticed” to remove the items or invited to apply for a licence. Persons who obstruct the highway may also be prosecuted through the Courts.

How do I report a problem?

If you have any concerns about an application, an issued licence or an ‘A’ board, shop display, pavement café or any other item displayed on the highway in your area please report it to Streetscene using the contact details on the right.