UK government to extend pavement licences to support recovery for pubs and

The UK government has announced plans to extend pavement licences for an extra 12 months to help pubs and restaurants recover once restrictions are lifted.

They will also be able to erect marquees and awnings for two months without planning permission.

Robert Jenrick MP wrote to councils urging them to do “everything possible” to gear up for “what should be a great British summer”. The proposal is subject to parliamentary approval.

These licences were previously granted after sending applications and paying fees.

Trade body UKHospitality said it “wholeheartedly” welcomes the news, as it will allow more venues to open for outdoor service on April 12 than it would have been possible.

“Thousands of hospitality venues opened last summer, safely serving millions of people and supporting millions of jobs,” said chief executive Kate Nicholls.

“The extension of this outdoor flexibility, along with the support offered by the Chancellor in his budget last week, will enable hospitality businesses to do the same this summer as they look to rebuild following a devastating year of lockdowns and trading restrictions. Although it should be remembered that many hospitality venues don’t have outdoor space and therefore won’t be able to trade until 17 May at the earliest.”

“All of these measures however, will be almost entirely in vain if businesses are not able to re-open in full and without restrictions on June 21. For the hospitality industry to be able to fully recover, the government must also address some glaring omissions from its package of support, such as the business rates cap, which will penalise tens of thousands of venues, and an extension of the rent moratoria.”

Among the publicans, () rose 2% to 1,290.41p, Young’s () and Fuller, Smith & Turner () were up 1% to 1,499p and 870.2p respectively, while Marston’s () remained flat at 98.33p.

Looking at food venues, Fulham Shore () advanced 2% to 15.37p, Restaurant Group () added 1% to 108.7p and Loungers () was unmoved at 241.44p on Tuesday morning.