Public footway licence

Tables and chairs, temporary furniture and shop front displays

You need a licence in order to place tables, chairs or other temporary furniture on a public footway/pavement. You also need a licence for a shop front projection display/A board. Patio heaters and awnings (other than sideless parasols) are prohibited.

A licence is temporary and valid for 6 months, and is renewable for further periods of 6 months. The licence is a printed document and specifies any conditions attached to it. A licence is issued to an individual who is in attendance at the premise, rather than to a premise, partnership or company. It is not transferable to another person.

The administration fee for tables and chairs is £120 for up to six months. For shop front projection display/board the few is £12.50 for up to six months. The use of the footway will be charged at £1 a square metre a day.

The charge has to be paid at least four weeks in advance, but can also be paid for up to 6 months in advance. The licence will lapse immediately if the charge is not paid. The charge is not refundable irrespective of whether a licence is surrendered or withdrawn.

Isolated pitch

We will consider applications for isolated pitches such as flower/coffee vendors. Applicants are required to identify an isolated pitch location. When we receive your application we will carry out a consultation process with organisations such as the police, Transport for London if the location is within a red route, planning etc. Because of this consultation, the time it takes to process applications varies. Once the application has been evaluated, you will either receive a written formal offer of a licence or refusal of the application.

The application fee for an isolated pitch is £12.50 for up to six months. The use of the footway will be charged at £20 per day Monday to Friday, £40 Saturday and £50 Sunday. The £12.50 application fee is non-refundable.

Licence criteria

These criteria are taken into account when issuing a licence:

There must remain 1.8 metres (6 feet) of clear, unobstructed footway
Footfall during period of licence
Crowding to view the display and or queuing for access
Street furniture and configuration that impacts on the space
Building fire exits
Bus, cash point, post office queues
The visual impact of the intended moveable structures
The street market designation and/or parking provision in place
Close proximity of premises licensed for the sale of alcohol
Close proximity of residential buildings
Clear and unobstructed sightlines to and from the carriageway

For more information see the application guidance notes (pdf, 50 kb).

Application evaluation process

Site visit made by Council Officer
Consultation with interested parties such as Transport for London (Red Route Areas) and the Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams, the Council licensing and planning sections.
Once the application is approved or rejected, you will either receive a written formal offer of a licence or refusal.

To accept an offer applicants need to return the form personally with:

The application fee
Payment relating to space
2 passport size photographs
A valid passport
Proof of address (no mobile phone bills)
Public liability insurance with £2,000,000 cover for public footway cover

If you fail to provide the requested documentation the application will be deemed to be withdrawn.

If you haven’t heard from us within 5 working days, please contact us. Please note that we must process your application before it can be granted.

Apply

To obtain an application form, please come and see us at our contact address. You can also request an application on 0207 364 1717 or streetmarkets@towerhamlets.gov.uk and we will post one to you.

Alternatively, you can apply online through the Businesslink website.

Appealing a failed application

If your application is refused or you have a complaint regarding a failed licence please contact us.

Consumer complaints

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Contact us

Market Services
131 Commercial Street (not Commercial Road)
London E1 6BJ

Tel: 0207 364 1717
Email: streetmarkets@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Opening hours: Monday-Wednesday and Friday 9am to 4pm, Thursday 9am to 2pm.