Nottingham Pubs and Cafés Forced to Pay Twice for Pavement Licences, say Lib Dems

Nottingham Liberal Democrats are calling on the City Council to bring its pavement café licensing process in line with national legislation, after the party found out the council continues to issue annual licences despite the law letting them last up to two years.

Under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, which came into force in March 2024, local councils in England can give pavement licences for up to two years. The Government has even encouraged councils to grant the maximum duration unless there is specific reason not to. Yet Nottingham City Council's current policy requires hospitality businesses to reapply, and pay, every single year.

Nottingham Lib Dems’ Campaigns spokesperson Lloydie James Lloyd said: "Nottingham's hospitality sector is under real pressure. Costs are rising, margins are tight, and businesses are fighting to survive. So why are the council making them reapply every year for the right to put a table on the pavement?

“Nottingham is essentially forcing businesses have to pay twice, rather than once every two years. We are calling on the council to change that now. It costs very little to administer, but the saving in time, paperwork and fees would give our local businesses a genuine lift just when they really need one.”

In Nottingham, a new application costs £368. Renewing it costs £189, and under the council's current policy, businesses have to do that every single year.

Lloydie James Lloyd added: “Moving these licences to once every two years would be a much-needed boost to our city centre. Many residents have spoken to me on the doorstep about how they love our city, and how sad they are that it isn’t doing better. Other councils across the country are issuing two-year licences right now. We don’t want Nottingham lagging behind.”