Government plans to slash red tape and breathe new life into the high street

The government has announced a major overhaul of planning and licensing rules that could make it easier and quicker to launch new cafés, bars, music venues, and alfresco dining spots, especially in disused high street units.

As part of a plan for a new National Licensing Policy Framework, there will be a drive to reduce complexity, delays, and costs for small hospitality businesses  The aim is to modernise planning and licensing rules and to breathe new life into our town centres and support the kind of venues that bring communities together, whether it’s over a drink, a national sporting event, or a Sunday brunch in the sun.

Proposals include :

• Planning and licensing rules to be overhauled to make it quicker and easier for new cafés, bars and music venues to open in place of disused shops
• New ‘hospitality zones’ will fast-track permissions for alfresco dining, pubs, and street parties, along with extended opening hours.
• The ‘Agent of Change’ principle is being formally introduced, which will protect long-standing venues from noise complaints from new developments.
• The plan will standardise and streamline planning and licensing nationally, tackling the postcode lottery of local policies that often delay and deter start-ups and smaller operators.

These reforms are part of the Government’s broader Small Business Plan, which will deliver on the Plan for Change and is aimed at revitalising the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs, with a particular focus on cutting regulatory costs by at least 25%.  The changes will not extend to Scotland, where separate laws apply and are controlled by Holyrood.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

“This Government has a plan to replace shuttered up 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.

“Red tape has stood in the way of people’s business ideas for too long. Today we’re slashing those barriers to giving small business owners the freedom to flourish.

“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.”

And if you are wondering when or if this will happen, an initial Call for Evidence is expected shortly. We will keep you updated on developments as they happen.

Link to Press Release - Red tape slashed to revamp high streets with new cafes and bars - GOV.UK