Mid Sussex businesses wishing to place chairs and tables outside their premises will now have to pay up to £500 to do so – a 150% increase on the current price.
At a meeting of the district council, unanimous approval was given to adopt a new pavement licensing policy.
Before the pandemic, such licences were the remit of West Sussex County Council, which charged around the same amount.
But things changed when covid hit, with the district council being handed responsibility for processing applications and renewals – a temporary arrangement brought in in 2020 to help keep businesses afloat while observing social distancing rules.
The charge since then has been £100 for a year’s licence but will now change.
New legislation has increased the duration of licences to two years and gives the council the right to charge up to £500 for new applications and £350 for renewals.
The authority will make no money from the charges, which will simply cover its costs.
Does MSDC have any ideas on how to help town businesses survive? Firstly they increase time and parking charges ( this should encourage more people to visit Town Centers). Next idea increase chages to licence street table seating. If the Council is correct that it is not going to make any money from this.
(The authority will make no money from the charges, which will simply cover its costs). Why bother.
Answers please on post card to MSDC Haywards Heath
What will the money be used for ?