North East Derbyshire District Council is waiving a licence fee of up to £100 to help local businesses get back on their feet following the coronavirus pandemic.
Businesses would usually need to pay a fee to apply for a pavement licence for their premises to be able to provide outside seating for customers, but the Council is supporting this initiative to boost local restaurants, pubs and cafes and help them safely adapt.
Councillor Charlotte Cupit, Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, said, “We know that our hospitality sector has had a difficult time through the recent pandemic. With restrictions lifted they are now able to operate again, but with a reduced capacity to maintain social distancing rules. It’s important to get behind our local cafés, restaurants and independent businesses so we’re supporting them by waiving the licence fee they would usually need to pay to obtain to be able to provide seating on pavements for customers. Hopefully this will help our local town centres and businesses adapt and offer new opportunities too.
“Our residents and businesses have been through a lot these last few months and we are doing everything we can to help them and our district recover from this pandemic. We would love our communities to shop, eat and drink local to help boost our local economy and support our fantastic businesses.”
Businesses can apply on the council’s website to obtain a special pavement licence after submitting evidence of safe procedures to the authority.
Businesses can find more information on the pavement licence and how to apply on the council’s website: https://www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/licensing/pavement-and-premises-licence-covid-19