What is a street vending and street café permit?
Street vending and street café permits are issued by the St Edmundsbury Borough Council for all circumstances where amenities are provided on highways by persons other than the council. To place tables, chairs or other temporary furniture on the pavement in England and Wales you require a licence from your local authority.
A person who wishes to place objects or structures on, in or over a highway, for:
a. a purpose which will result in the production of income
b. the purpose of providing a centre for advice or information
c. the purpose of advertising
will need to apply to the council for a street vending/café permit. Therefore, a shopkeeper who wishes to display and sell wares from the frontage of the retail unit; or a pub, restaurant or café that wishes to sell refreshments from tables and chairs on the frontage of their premises will need to apply and be granted a street vending/café permit. Conditions may be attached.
This applies to any and all streets/highways in the borough of St Edmundsbury.
How do I apply?
Contact Licensing Services or download an application form and the policy and guidelines against which applications are considered.
Please note
If you are intending to apply to trade for more than 28 days per year, you will also need to make an application for planning permission. In the first instance, please contact the planning department on 01284 757066.
How much does it cost?
Charges are notified to the consent holder once a permit has been granted, and levied by the finance department on a monthly basis. For details please visit:
What happens next?
Notices are served on the premises that the application refers to, and also on the neighbouring properties which may have an interest in such a permit being granted.
A period of 28 days is allowed for responses to the council.
If anyone with an interest refuses consent to objects/structures being placed on the highway, the council will inform you that it is unable to grant permission on this occasion.
A council may not grant a person a street vending/café permit unless they have first obtained the consent of the frontagers with an interest to the:
a. placing of the object or structure
b. purpose for which it would be placed
c. proposed grant of permission.
The council will also refer all applications to the following bodies for consultation:
St Edmundsbury Borough Council:
- Planning and Engineering
- Property Services
- Finance
- Legal Services
- Economic Development
- Environmental Health and Housing
also
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
- Suffolk Constabulary
- Suffolk County Council Highways Department
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry/Town Council (where appropriate)
If the consultations indicate any problems, or issues to be resolved, you will be informed and it may be that the application is considered by the Licensing and Appeals Committee (or Haverhill Town Council).
Will tacit authorisation apply?
Yes, you should expect that the council will determine this application within 56 days from the date on which it receives your application.
The clock starts when the completed application is submitted along with all the required information and documents requested, including fee. If the local authority spots an error or omission in the application, it can be placed on hold and the clock starts from the beginning when the applicant either supplies a correction or all the information requested.
If your application can not be determined because the council needs more information, you will be notified, and the clock will stop until the outstanding information is supplied.
If the council has received objections to the application which means that it will have to be referred to a licensing panel, you will be notified in writing. The period will then be extended to the date on which your application is determined at hearing, and you will be notified of the outcome of the hearing not later than 10 working days after the day of the hearing.
What can I do if my application is refused?
If your application is refused you can discuss the application with the appropriate council officers. However, other than Judicial Review, there is no statutory right of appeal against the council's decision.
If you have any queries please contact:
Licensing Services
St Edmundsbury Borough Council
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 3YU
Phone: 01284 757103
Email: licensing@stedsbc.gov.uk
