Plans in place to support reopening of outdoor hospitality

So who’s looking forward to meeting for a glass of wine when the restrictions lift? I think we’re all hoping the roadmap outlined by the PM is successful.

For those working in the hospitality industry on the 5th March 2021 the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government have announced a range of measures to cut the red tape and support hospitality businesses to open safely.  So what’s been announced:

Pavement Licenses

Pavement licences have been extended for a further 12 months, making it easier and cheaper for pubs, restaurants and cafes to continue to make alfresco dining a reality with outside seating, tables and street stalls to serve food and drinks without having to go through a long winded bureaucratic process.

Takeaways

The automatic right to provide takeaways and do deliveries that the Government created at the start of the pandemic is going to continue, as will the right for pubs to have marquees without planning permission for up to two months.  I know one of our Clients took this up and it helped in securing a permission (at appeal) for takeaways to be a permanent part of their business at their restaurant in Oldham.

Freedom to use land for community events and outdoor hospitality

The greater flexibility for businesses to hold outdoor events such as summer fairs or motorsports on land without the need for a planning application was put in place last year, while events such as car-boot sales, or people or businesses such as pubs wishing to set up marquees will also be exempt.  The Government have increased the number of days allowed for such temporary events from 28 to 56, and in November extended this provision until 31 December 2021.

Outdoor markets

A new temporary right, extended to March 2022, allows local authorities, either by themselves or by others on their behalf, to use land to hold a market without having to apply for planning
permission.

Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government confirms his intensions: ‘As we emerge from this incredibly challenging period – let’s not let bureaucracy get in the way of a great British summer for the hospitality industry.’