Al fresco dining boost for businesses

Pubs, cafés and restaurants will be able to take advantage of the warm weather and keep serving customers al fresco, thanks to steps the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has taken.

Temporary changes brought in during COVID-19 that make it quicker, easier and cheaper for business to get a licence to serve food and drink on pavements and pedestrianised roads have been extended. The extension will continue until the changes are made permanent in the spring.

The change was first introduced to help businesses keep operating during the pandemic and was widely welcomed by the public, café owners and pub landlords.

The government will make these changes permanent in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

Today’s (25 July) announcement will make sure that businesses can keep operating outside by extending the temporary provisions that were due to expire in September, before the permanent changes become law.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Greg Clark, said making al fresco dining a permanent fixture on high streets is part of the government’s plan to level up communities and create vibrant places people want to live and work.