Pavement licence

Temporary changes to planning and licensing procedures became law in 2020. Pavement licences introduced a fast-track process to make it easier for premises serving food and drink to seat and serve customers as lockdown restrictions were lifted and social distancing guidelines remained in place.

On 10 August 2023, the Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 came into force. These regulations extended the existing pavement licence provisions to 30 September 2024. 

A renewal option for pavement licences was not incorporated into the Business and Planning Act. Therefore there is no renewal process and all current licence holders must reapply for a licence.

Any licence granted after 10 August 2023 will be valid until 30 September 2024.

Once an application has been submitted you are required to make payment of the application fee. This is set at £100 and is non-refundable. Payments may be made by telephone on 020 8545 3969 or by bank transfer (please contact us for details).

Incomplete applications may be rejected.

Apply for a licence

If you wish to utilise the pavement for trading you will need to:

• Download and complete the pavement licence application form (pdf, 390 KB)
• Save and send via email to licensing@merton.gov.uk

By submitting the application you are agreeing to the standard conditions for pavement licenses (pdf, 48 KB).

Application process

The application process requires a seven-day public consultation which beings the day after an application is submitted. There is a legal requirement to place a clear public notice (pdf, 1.1 MB in an area easily visible to passers-by. The application must comprise of a completed application form, fee, a photograph of the consultation notice correctly filled in and displayed, and any other supporting documents that are required. 

You may use this template (pdf, 1.1 MB) to assist you.

Granted licences will be valid until 30 September 2024.

Pavement licence applications received

The applications received for pavement licences lists those which are still open to comment or objection by the public. The list gives the last date for objections to be made.

• Pavement licence applications received (pdf, 38 KB)

For any further queries, please get in touch with our licensing team at licensing@merton.gov.uk and we will respond as soon as we can.

For traders with existing street trading licences for forecourts, catering vans and market stalls, please be aware you will continue to be licensed as a street trader and you should renew your licence as normal.

Further information

• Pavement Licence Policy (pdf, 140 KB)
• ​Guidance: pavement licences​ (GOV.UK)