Apply for a pavement licence

Our Pavement Licensing policy is currently under review.

While this work is completed, we have reopened applications for pavement licences.

Pavement Licences allow businesses to place removable furniture on the pavement outside their premises for the sales and consumption of food and drink.

The application fee is £100 and licences will last for 1 year.

• After submitting your application, details from the form will be published on our website so that the public, alongside a number of specific consultees, such as Ward Councillors and the emergency services, will have 14 days to make representations regarding your application.
• After this consultation period, the council will then have a further 14 days to determine whether or not to grant the licence.
  If a decision is not made in time, the licence will be automatically granted subject to the standard conditions.
• Note that the £100 application fee is not refundable if the application is refused, or if the licence is subsequently surrendered or revoked.
• If you wish to allow your customers to smoke in your licensed area, you must also include a non-smoking area in your plans.
• On the day of application, applicants will be sent a site notice, this must be printed and displayed on the premises that same day.
  The notice must be displayed where it can be easily read by those not on the premises, and it must remain displayed for 15 days (the day of application and the 14 days following).
• Applicants must then take a photograph of their correctly displayed notice and add it to their application using either their Brum Account or the link we will send to you. This must also be done on the day of application.
  Failure to take evidence of the timely and correct display of your notice may lead to your application being considered as incomplete and returned to you undetermined.

Detailed information about the process including the standard conditions can be found in the policy document.

Special events

All Pavement Licences will be subject to a standard condition requiring businesses to cease operating their licensed area for works and special events e.g. parades, marathons and Christmas attractions. Be mindful of this when considering making an application.

Make an application

If you want to track progress on your application, you can log in to, or register for a BRUM account.

1. Start your application

Look at the map to begin.

The map will show a 2-mile area around Birmingham city centre by default.

2. Find and plot the location

There are 2 ways to find the location.

1. Use the "Search for a place" box
   Type a postcode or road name in the search box.
   If you know the property number, include it too.
2. Manual search
   Explore the map and zoom in to mark the location.
   On the left side of the map, you will find the tools:
   • Zoom buttons. Use the plus and minus buttons to zoom in and out.
     Mobile users can also pinch to zoom.
   • Find my location circle. Use this to zoom to where you are right now
   To move around the map, click or tap and drag.

Click or tap the map to plot the location. A marker will appear.

3. Submit your application

Once you have plotted the location on the map, select "Submit new enquiry" to start the form.

If you're using an older browser such as Internet Explorer 10 or earlier, the map might not appear. Try using a newer browser for the best experience.

If you have any enquiries, email citycentre@birmingham.gov.uk

Page last updated: 16 May 2024