Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of ensuring that the Business and Planning Bill considers the economic effect on the hospitality sector of allowing increased provision of tables and chairs on road sides.

The Business and Planning Bill includes a temporary fast-track process to secure ‘pavement licences’ to support businesses selling food and drink through economic recovery as lockdown measures are eased but social distancing remains in place. This will allow businesses to maximise their capacity whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines. The current process for businesses to obtain these licences can be costly and time-consuming. The fast track includes a shorter consultation and determination period and a capped fee of £100. For those businesses which do benefit from the changes, economic benefits are envisaged to arise from being able to start serving outside sooner. Analysis of these benefits was published alongside the bill: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-01/0148/Analysis%20to%20support%20the%20Business%20and%20Planning%20Bill.pdf