Pubs, restaurants and cafes will be able to put tables on pavements for another year to help the hospitality industry recover.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has sent a letter to English councils urging them to do “everything possible” to get ready for high streets to reopen when step two of the lockdown easing roadmap happens.

That includes extending measures introduced last year to allow pubs, restaurants and cafes to apply for a licence, costing a maximum of £100, to put removable furniture outside their venues on pavements.

Venues who applied for the licence before should not have to pay again or reapply, Mr Jenrick said.

Hospitality venues will be allowed to open outside areas from 12 April at the earliest, with six people from different households or a larger group from two households.

When the speedy pavement licences were introduced last summer, local authorities were told they could grant them for a minimum of three months and up to 12 months or more, up to 30 September 2021.

The rule, which also includes a maximum five business day decision, will now be extended for a further 12 months until September 2022, Mr Jenrick said.

Parliament still needs to approve the move but is expected to without issue.

UK Hospitality, which represents the industry, said it was “delighted” at the extension.

We are delighted that @RobertJenrick has written to Council leaders urging them to support the safe re-opening of hospitality businesses and do everything possible to help businesses reopen safely and prosper again. pic.twitter.com/i0niYIQPYC

Mr Jenrick told councils other measures introduced last year will remain in place as restrictions are eased.

They are:

• Greater flexibility for land to be used for temporary events – such as markets and motorsports – for up to 56 days instead of the usual 28 without planning permission

• Outdoor markets, marquees, pop-up car boot sales or summer fairs will not need a planning application to go ahead

• Planning rules will continue to be relaxed to allow pubs and restaurants to operate as takeaways

The communities secretary said: “We’re all looking forward to seeing pubs, cafes and restaurants open again as we start to gear up for what should be a great British summer.

“Therefore, I’m delighted to announce an extension on temporary provisions for pavement licences for a further 12 months.

“This will give further certainty to businesses as they recover from the effects of the pandemic.”

Related posts:

Labour leader sorry over ‘hurt’ caused by visit to church where pastor opposed gay rights PM invites devolved leaders to Union summit – as he hails ‘Team UK’ Gove rejects Indyref2 as ‘massive distraction’ – but refuses to say if govt would seek to block a vote in court Senior MoD civil servant at centre of probe into how sensitive documents turned up at bus stop Javid’s set expectations sky high within hours – but expect his influence to be felt more gradually PM suggests he took decisive action on Hancock – despite initially saying matter was ‘closed’ PM reveals ‘romantic urges’ of Downing St dog – with Dilyn liking ‘people’s legs’ National strategy on disability published despite criticism over survey from campaigners UK to give Kenya more than 800,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine Councillors pass no confidence vote in Matt Hancock after footage of him kissing aide published Top economist ‘worried’ increasing minimum wage is govt’s ‘only tool’ to tackle cost of living crisis ‘Dreadful shock but not a surprise’: Priti Patel says ‘no quick fix’ to stopping migrant crossings