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Alfresco dining opens up – but what do you need to know?

There are just days to go until bars and restaurants can open, as long as they have outdoor seating. Although the government is trying to make it easier for the hospitality industry to adapt, there are still rules to be considered. Real Estate Senior Associate Jane Lindop outlines what those working in the industry need to know in The Caterer.

2 minute read

Published 9 April 2021

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THE PROBLEM

The UK’s bars, pubs and restaurants will once again reopen to customers from 12 April. However, tough restrictions will mean that diners will only be allowed to eat and drink outside. The government is looking to make it easier for hospitality businesses to adapt, but the rulebook has not entirely been thrown away.

THE LAW

The lease of the property will set out how the property can be used and whether the property includes the outside area.  If not, it may grant rights to place chairs and tables outside on common parts. If no such right exists, it can be granted by way of a licence or an easement by the landlord.

Landlords tend to favour the more informal sitting-out licence as it affords increased control and flexibility. They can end that licence should they wish and restrict those rights from passing on to future tenants.

The tenant may have contractual obligations in their lease not to cause a nuisance, annoyance, disturbance or inconvenience to the landlord or other tenants or occupiers or neighbouring property. This can extend to restrictions on noise, flashing lights or smells.

A licence is required from a relevant local authority if the occupier wishes to put tables and chairs on a public highway, pavements or pedestrian areas. The government’s Business and Planning Act 2020 makes this easier with the application fee capped at £100 and a consultation period of just seven days. If a local authority fails to respond within 14 days, a licence is deemed granted for up to 12 months.

The government has also introduced new measures which allow operators to erect a marquee or gazebo without planning permission and the period during which those temporary shelters can be kept in place has been extended beyond the 28 days under the old guidance.

Premises serving alcohol will also need to consider the terms of their premises licence. The Business and Planning Act 2020 has allowed licensed premises that normally only sell alcohol for consumption on the premises to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises until 30 September 2021. Licences that permit off-sales will typically allow alcohol to be consumed in any outside area.

EXPERT ADVICE

Everyone wants to see the sector open up and for the public to spend money and enjoy themselves. But the continued threat of the coronavirus pandemic looms large, and restrictions remain firmly in place.

The guidance is in many instances woolly and may be difficult to police. For example, customers can only meet in groups of six if from more than two households. However, larger parties are permitted if from just two households. Covered alfresco dining spaces cannot be entirely enclosed, but the guidance is not explicit in what it considers enclosed.

Whilst the government has taken significant steps making it easier for the restaurants and bars to open up outside dining, they do not exempt premises from their obligations in their leases.

Check the lease first to see if outside dining rights exist. If they don’t, speak to the landlord and negotiate either a licence or easement. Landlords are likely to be accommodating as they look to support tenants and collect rents. But note, they may have existing obligations to neighbouring premises to not obstruct particular areas, so flexibility might be needed.

TO DO CHECKLIST

  • Check the premises lease– it may not permit outside dining
  • Do speak to your landlord to secure a sitting out licence if the lease does not permit outside dining.
  • Pay close attention to government guidelines on party numbers and covered outside spaces.
  • Check restrictions on the premises alcohol licence and seek any necessary variations.
  • Secure a licence from your local authority to permit pavement dining or dining on a highway.

BEWARE!

Government guidance is dependent on its ability to control coronavirus infection rates. Be prepared for that guidance to change or for further restrictions to be put in place.

CONTACTS

Jane Lindop is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate team at law firm Collyer Bristow. She can be reached by email: jane.lindop@collyerbristow.com.

This article was originally published in The Caterer. 

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Shorter Reads

Alfresco dining opens up – but what do you need to know?

There are just days to go until bars and restaurants can open, as long as they have outdoor seating. Although the government is trying to make it easier for the hospitality industry to adapt, there are still rules to be considered. Real Estate Senior Associate Jane Lindop outlines what those working in the industry need to know in The Caterer.

Published 9 April 2021

Associated sectors / services

  • Commercial real estate

Authors

THE PROBLEM

The UK’s bars, pubs and restaurants will once again reopen to customers from 12 April. However, tough restrictions will mean that diners will only be allowed to eat and drink outside. The government is looking to make it easier for hospitality businesses to adapt, but the rulebook has not entirely been thrown away.

THE LAW

The lease of the property will set out how the property can be used and whether the property includes the outside area.  If not, it may grant rights to place chairs and tables outside on common parts. If no such right exists, it can be granted by way of a licence or an easement by the landlord.

Landlords tend to favour the more informal sitting-out licence as it affords increased control and flexibility. They can end that licence should they wish and restrict those rights from passing on to future tenants.

The tenant may have contractual obligations in their lease not to cause a nuisance, annoyance, disturbance or inconvenience to the landlord or other tenants or occupiers or neighbouring property. This can extend to restrictions on noise, flashing lights or smells.

A licence is required from a relevant local authority if the occupier wishes to put tables and chairs on a public highway, pavements or pedestrian areas. The government’s Business and Planning Act 2020 makes this easier with the application fee capped at £100 and a consultation period of just seven days. If a local authority fails to respond within 14 days, a licence is deemed granted for up to 12 months.

The government has also introduced new measures which allow operators to erect a marquee or gazebo without planning permission and the period during which those temporary shelters can be kept in place has been extended beyond the 28 days under the old guidance.

Premises serving alcohol will also need to consider the terms of their premises licence. The Business and Planning Act 2020 has allowed licensed premises that normally only sell alcohol for consumption on the premises to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises until 30 September 2021. Licences that permit off-sales will typically allow alcohol to be consumed in any outside area.

EXPERT ADVICE

Everyone wants to see the sector open up and for the public to spend money and enjoy themselves. But the continued threat of the coronavirus pandemic looms large, and restrictions remain firmly in place.

The guidance is in many instances woolly and may be difficult to police. For example, customers can only meet in groups of six if from more than two households. However, larger parties are permitted if from just two households. Covered alfresco dining spaces cannot be entirely enclosed, but the guidance is not explicit in what it considers enclosed.

Whilst the government has taken significant steps making it easier for the restaurants and bars to open up outside dining, they do not exempt premises from their obligations in their leases.

Check the lease first to see if outside dining rights exist. If they don’t, speak to the landlord and negotiate either a licence or easement. Landlords are likely to be accommodating as they look to support tenants and collect rents. But note, they may have existing obligations to neighbouring premises to not obstruct particular areas, so flexibility might be needed.

TO DO CHECKLIST

  • Check the premises lease– it may not permit outside dining
  • Do speak to your landlord to secure a sitting out licence if the lease does not permit outside dining.
  • Pay close attention to government guidelines on party numbers and covered outside spaces.
  • Check restrictions on the premises alcohol licence and seek any necessary variations.
  • Secure a licence from your local authority to permit pavement dining or dining on a highway.

BEWARE!

Government guidance is dependent on its ability to control coronavirus infection rates. Be prepared for that guidance to change or for further restrictions to be put in place.

CONTACTS

Jane Lindop is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate team at law firm Collyer Bristow. She can be reached by email: jane.lindop@collyerbristow.com.

This article was originally published in The Caterer. 

Associated sectors / services

  • Commercial real estate

Authors

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