A Covid World - Half In, Half Out

Whilst we’ve all been drawing up plans on how to re-open our venues with distancing measures enforced and ripping our hair out thinking how we will make any money with reduced covers, there has been some good news!

Pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to turn outside space, such as pavements, terraces and car parks, into outdoor seating areas under proposals to boost the hospitality industry across England and Wales. In Manchester alone some of the busiest streets (Peter Street, Thomas Street and Blossom Street) have received the green light to become pedestrianised in order to allow businesses to utilise outside space. The government hopes this will make socialising outdoors easier for hospitality reopening on the 4th of July.

It still won’t be as easy as just placing some tables and chairs outside though. Temporary measures will be put in so hospitality venues can apply for a “pavement licence” more easily than previously, and at a lower cost of £100. As with any legislation, please make sure you have this licence before using your outside space. Contact your local council to check with them as many are drawing up pedestrianised street plans with marked out areas for each venue to share the outdoor space fairly.

However the period of consideration for these licences will drop from 28 calendar days to only 5 working days, meaning decisions will be processed faster, and if there is no council decision after 10 days the licence will be granted automatically. Meaning that “for once” things in the licencing department should move quickly.

The Business Secretary Alok Sharma said “Our pubs, restaurants and cafes are the lifeblood of High Streets and town centres across the country and we are doing all we can to ensure they can bounce back as quickly and safely as possible. This week we gave our vital hospitality sector the green light to reopen from July 4th, and today we are introducing new legislation to enable businesses to make the most of the crucial summer months ahead” when announcing these changes.

The Bill was put forward to Parliament on Thursday 25th June and is due to be debated by MPs on Monday 29th.

Now these changes and the pavement licence could really benefit your business, although not always reliable with the British weather. Check with your local councils about road closures and permitted areas, and factor in how this will affect your venue in other ways. How will your deliveries arrive to you? Are staff aware of road closures that might impact their commute into work? And make sure you let your customers know! There’s nothing worse than trying to get a taxi last minute to a restaurant and being dropped off miles away because of closures. Communication is always best and helps plan ahead!

All information included in this post is valid as of date of publication, 26th June 2020.