Apply for a temporary street furniture licence
If you wish to place tables and chairs on the public highway an application for a licence must be made.
Licence requirement
A licence is required from us to place tables/chairs for patrons to use whilst consuming food and drink outside a restaurant or café.
Your business may meet the criteria under the pavement licensing regime, look at this prior to applying for a licence.
A licence is required for other furniture such as:
- awnings
- canopies
- A boards
- tables to display goods for sale
There is a fee payable for this, which is payable before a licence can be issued. Any unlicensed use of the highway for tables and chairs is an obstruction and may be dealt with by the police.
Apply for a licence
Licence conditions
You can download policy document below that explains more about the conditions.
Fees for temporary furniture on or over the highway
Are licence fees are:
- permission for furniture on highway – (per table/picnic bench, tables chairs on highway) – £273
- projection over the highway – (awning or canopy) – £273
- display of goods for sale (tables/A-boards) on areas of highway – £320
- additional display of goods for sale/A-boards on areas of highway on an existing permit – £120
If you wish to apply for multiple permissions such as table/chairs and canopy you will be required to pay each fee that applies above.
Required information
A detailed plan to the scale 1:50 or larger identifying the area in which the temporary furniture's are to be positioned will be required with the application, requirements of the plan identified in guidance notes 6.02.
Public liability insurance document - The person to whom a licence is granted must always have valid public liability insurance for at least £5m. Please see guidance notes 2.14.
Inspections or assessments
All applications will require a site meeting with one of our representatives before a licence is issued. To make an appointment you should contact us on the details provided below.
Application process timeframe
Once your application has been accepted, the consultation period takes 28 days. If there are any objections, they are considered when determining the application. If no objections are received the licence will be sent out.
Appeal
You can't appeal; our decision as the council is final.
Licence duration
One year.
Renew
If you wish to renew the application please contact us at least one week before the licence is due to expire.
Changes
If you have a change to your existing temporary street furniture permit, complete the application form on the government website.
Tell us about a change – GOV.Uk
Register
There is no register.
Downloads
Contact
For more information, contact our Licensing Service.
Email: licensing@luton.gov.uk
Telephone: 01582 546040
Luton Council
Town Hall
George Street
Luton
LU1 2BQ