New rules for cafes and bars on UK high streets
Communities and town centres across the UK are set to benefit from a wave of new cafes, bars, music venues and outdoor dining options, as the government has announced several changes to slash red tape and breathe new life into the high street.
The new National Licensing Policy Framework will modernise outdated planning and licensing rules, cutting the cost, complexity, and time it takes to open and operate hospitality venues, and helping small businesses grow and communities reconnect.
The reforms will make it easier to convert disused shops into hospitality venues, and protect long-standing pubs, clubs, and music venues from noise complaints by new developments – ensuring the buzz of the high street can thrive without being silenced.
As part of this, the government will introduce the ‘Agent of Change’ principle into national planning and licensing policy – meaning developers will be responsible for soundproofing their buildings if they choose to build near existing pubs, clubs or music venues.
New dedicated ‘hospitality zones’ will also be introduced, where permissions for alfresco dining, street parties and extended opening hours will be fast-tracked – helping to bring vibrancy and footfall back to the high street.
The new National Licensing Policy Framework will streamline and standardise the process for securing planning permission and licences, removing the patchwork of local rules that currently delay or deter small businesses from opening.
This means that entrepreneurs looking to turn empty shops into cafes, bars, or music venues will face fewer forms, faster decisions, and lower costs.
“This government has a plan to replace shuttered shops with vibrant places to socialise, turning them into thriving cafés or busy bars, which supports local jobs and gives people a place to get together and catch up over a beer or a coffee,” said Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
He added that red tape has stood in the way of people’s business ideas for too long.
“From faster café openings to easier alfresco dining, our Plan for Change will put the buzz back into our town centres and money back into the pockets of local entrepreneurs, because when small businesses thrive, communities come alive.”
