The Suffolk Resilience Forum have a new Press Release:
Businesses to get help with licence to serve
New licensing laws are due to be debated by Government to make it easier for cafés, pubs and restaurants to open. Government is set to debate changing this on 20 July as part of the Business and Planning Bill 2020.
One of the main changes is to speed up the consultation process for any applications to sell food and drink outside the premises on the pavement, where it is safe to do.
Certain businesses, such as cafés, pubs and restaurants can open from 4 July and Councils are working to help them open from this date, maintaining social distancing.
Councils across Suffolk recognise that many businesses will want to take advantage of these new measures, before the new laws come into effect and before local authorities can consider applications for these temporary arrangements.Anyone considering placing tables and chairs adjacent to their property in the meantime should take a reasonable approach to continue to allow the public to pass safely along the pavement (footway) with social distancing considerations. Councils in Suffolk will be taking a pragmatic approach in anticipation of expected legislation but will deal with any safety issues in the normal way if they arise.
Guidance on dimensions is available from ‘Inclusive Mobility’ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-mobility/inclusive-mobility to ensure wheelchairs can pass.
The ‘Safer Places’ group, part of the Suffolk Resilience Forum, which is made up of Suffolk’s Emergency and Public Services has been helping businesses re-open.
The group is supporting businesses to meet national guidance, allowing them to trade safely and keep their customers safe. Councils are already talking to businesses who are looking to open and put tables and chairs out. They are asking businesses to be reasonable and make sure social distancing both for customers and people passing on the path can be maintained.
MPs are due to debate the new “Pavement Licence” regime, to be administered by local authorities later this month. This is designed to make it easier for premises in England serving food and drink such as bars, restaurants and pubs to seat and serve customers outdoors through temporary changes to planning procedures and alcohol licensing.
Once the law is agreed and guidance issued authorities will be able to formally process applications and give further, more detailed help, based on the new legislation.
Government have issued a range of guidance available online. This includes an online check list and took lit for employees to go through to make sure they are complying.
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-reopening#east
Also businesses can find out more about the track and trace element and taking down customer and staff information at the following link:
David Collinson, who leads the ‘Safer Places’ group, on the Suffolk Resilience Forum, said:
“We are keen to help Suffolk businesses open as soon as they can while making sure measures are in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19 and keep everyone safe. This is why we are taking a reasonable and common-sense approach with businesses while the legislation is still being debated. But everyone has a role to play in this. We ask businesses to be responsible and make sure the arrangements they put in place adheres to social distancing and other guidance as well as making sure people using the highway can do it safely. Equally the public have a vital role in helping businesses by sticking to these measures which also protects themselves and others from catching or spreading COVID-19. We recognise there will need to be changes and measures will evolve, and we want to work with businesses to help them. Stick With It Suffolk and help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep supporting your local businesses.”
Suffolk Resilience Forum
The information above has been issued on behalf of the Suffolk Resilience Forum. The forum is comprised of the Suffolk’s NHS, Emergency and Public Services, working together to keep the county safe.
For more information about the Suffolk Resilience Forum, please visit www.suffolkresilience.com