Chichester hospitality businesses allowed to place seats and tables outside for free

Short-term outside seating licences are being offered to help Chichester businesses that have been closed for months during the coronavirus lockdown.
DM2060057a.jpg Chichester shops reopening after lockdown. Photo by Derek Martin Photography SUS-200615-164627001DM2060057a.jpg Chichester shops reopening after lockdown. Photo by Derek Martin Photography SUS-200615-164627001
DM2060057a.jpg Chichester shops reopening after lockdown. Photo by Derek Martin Photography SUS-200615-164627001

Chichester District Council has announced that hospitality businesses can place seats and tables outside of their buildings for free.

Pubs and bars, restaurants and cafes, snack bars, coffee shops and ice cream parlours will be able to apply for permission to have temporary outdoor seating in ‘suitable locations’.

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It follows a change in the law, recently agreed in Parliament, which means that district and borough councils can now issue these licences and waive the usual fees.

“This a crucial time for the hospitality industry and we want to do everything we can to help businesses to get back on their feet,” said district council deputy leader Susan Taylor.

“By making these temporary licences available to eligible businesses free of charge, we hope to give district businesses a much-needed boost to support their recovery plans.”

The initiative will be in place until September 30, 2021.

Councillor Taylor said this is ‘one of many ways’ the council is supporting local businesses ‘from grants through to one-to-one business support’.

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She added: “Supporting the high street is one of the key objectives of our economic development strategy and is a key action within the council’s approved COVID-19 recovery plan.

“The timing of this new initiative coincides with the Government’s new Eat Out to Help Out scheme and we would encourage as many businesses as possible to sign up to both schemes.”

Establishments can apply for the free temporary pavement licence at www.chichester.gov.uk/pavementlicences and register for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme at www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-establishment-for-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme

Councillor Taylor continued: “We have already been working to support our high street businesses across the district as they reopen, and ensuring measures are put in place to enable visitors and businesses to follow the latest Government guidance.

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“We have recently launched a Support Local campaign to support the district’s businesses and high streets by encouraging people to think, shop and spend local whenever they need to buy something.”

‘To ensure public safety’, businesses must have a licence in place to provide an outdoor seating area.

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