𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Labour has been urged to scrap “ridiculous” pavement licences to boost pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes on Britain’s high streets. Hospitality businesses are required to apply to and often pay local councils to put tables and chairs outside their premises.

But MPs from the Conservative Environment Network (CEN) are calling for the so-called “table tax” to be axed as summer approaches to help the under-pressure sector. Tory MP Blake Stephenson said: “Labour’s anti-business agenda is killing our high streets and stifling economic growth.

“Our cafés, pubs, and restaurants are facing eye-watering business rates, rising national insurance contributions, and overbearing red tape brought in by this Government.

“We should be doing everything we can to help our hospitality industry thrive.

“Instead, it is being burdened with additional costs and bureaucracy, even just to put a few tables and chairs outside. The Government should scrap the table tax to show that it backs British businesses.”

Conservative Jack Rankin added: “Overbearing red tape and anti-growth measures are hampering the Great British pastime of enjoying a pint in the sun.

“It is ridiculous that our pubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants have to apply and pay for a licence to put a few tables and chairs outside.”

Councils can charge up to £500 for a new pavement licence application and £350 to renew, with licences lasting up to two years.

Some local authorities do not charge a fee, but most impose the full amount.

The CEN, which has launched a campaign called “scrap the table tax”, argues that requiring a licence and payment is unnecessary as long as businesses ensure pavements remain safe and accessible.

The group’s head of campaigns, Kitty Thompson, said ditching the measure would improve high streets for communities.

She said: “The small businesses that are the lifeblood of our high streets must pay their council for the privilege of providing what their customers want. This is a ridiculous state of affairs.

“There is no need for councils to burden themselves and local businesses with the bureaucracy of applying for a pavement licence.

“This is not just a pro-business argument. It is an environmental and communitarian one too: sitting outside is not just a lifestyle preference, it is an essential tool for turning streets into communities.

“As long as the pavement remains safe and accessible, there should be no barrier to businesses having outdoor seating. We need to scrap what is essentially a table tax.”

It comes as the hospitality sector is grappling with rising wage costs, higher business rates, inflation and soaring energy bills.

A Government spokesperson said: “Councils are responsible for introducing pavement licences and we expect them to make sure they are affordable for businesses.

“We’re supporting high streets with £301million invested this year to help communities get boarded-up shops open again, and reforming licensing to help more venues offer food and drink or one-off events outside.”