Free ‘alfresco’ licences up for grabs to city pubs

20-Jul-2022 - Last updated on 21-Jul-2022 at 10:14 GMT

Dining out: City of London pubs will be offered 'alfresco' dining licences free of charge (Getty/ Caia Image)

Pubs and bars in Square Mile, central London, are gearing up for a summer of ‘alfresco’ dining after the City of London Corporation agreed to grant free pavement licences to hospitality businesses.

The organisation’s planning and transportation committee voted to extend its Alfresco eating and drinking policy yesterday (19 July).

This means businesses can apply, free of charge, for a licence to seat customers outside until September 2023.

The policy has proved popular with Square Mile establishments and there are currently 142 live licences, all of which are extended to reapply.

The City Corporation recently announced its new flagship policy – Destination City – which will transform the Square Mile’s leisure offer to improve the destination for visitors, workers and residents.

Driving recovery

With a £2.5m annual investment from the City Corporation, Destination City will drive the Square Mile’s recovery from the pandemic and deliver an events programme including outdoor festivals. The first of three major events is planned for this autumn.

By streamlining the application process and offering pavement licenses for free, the City Corporation aims to boost the hospitality sector, supporting business recovery and ensuring the Square Mile has a vibrant leisure offer.

City Corporation planning and transportation committee chairman Shravan Joshi said: “Offering free licences for outdoor dining has been a transformational policy in the Square Mile."

Accessible for all

He continued: “It’s great to see workers, visitors and residents dining ‘al fresco’ enjoying the vibrant atmosphere, akin to the continental experience, especially in this hot weather.

“Our streets must remain safe and accessible for all, so measures are in place to ensure we meet the needs of people with disabilities and avoid overcrowding.”

The City Corporation will continue to prioritise accessibility. It will continue to consider needs of people with disabilities, available space on the pavement, levels pedestrian footfall and other factors when deciding applications for pavement licenses.