Street trading licences

You must apply for a pavement or street display licence if you want to advertise your business using free-standing signage on a public footpath, street or open space. 

Why you need a licence for your pavement or street display advertising

A pavement or  street display licence, also known as an A-board licence, relates to a type of adverts placed on the public highway. These include:

• freestanding advertising boards
• feather flags or moving banners
• character boards
• information and directional signs

Pavement or street displays on the public highway can create problems for people who:

• are visually impaired
• have mobility difficulties
• use a wheelchair or mobility scooter
• use pushchairs

Pavement or street displays can also cause clutter and untidiness that could damage the area. We licence pavement or street display on pavements, streets and other public open spaces to balance the needs of businesses, pedestrians and traffic. 

Why we licence pavement or street displays

Obstructing the highway under the Highways Act 1980, section 143, and section 149 is an offence.  The term highway includes roads, streets, footpaths, paved and pedestrianised areas.  The legislation allows local councils to licence schemes on the public road to protect the public. 

When you cannot have a pavement or street display 

Pavement or street display are not permitted:

• without a licence 
• on Transport for London (TfL) Red Routes 

Red Routes are roads marked by red lines. They are major roads, and vehicles cannot stop on them except in dedicated lay-bys. TfL has zero tolerance to pavement or street displays and any other street clutter.

The cost of a licence  

A new pavement or street display licence costs £158.  You can renew an existing licence for £137.  

Licences are granted for 12 months.

Before you apply  

Your application must include details of your pavement or street display: 

• photo or illustration
• dimensions
• scaled plan of the board’s location 

What does the plan need to show 

Your application must include a plan detailing the location of your pavement or street display: 

• Dimensions of location, the width of pavement and proximity to the kerb 
• location of all posts, columns and trees 
• Proposed location of your signage 

Licence conditions

These are the conditions for every pavement or street display  licence we issue. The conditions may only be removed or varied following an application determined by the Council. 

1. You must display your licence in a prominent position. You must show it when an authorised local authority officer or the police request to see it.
2. The licence is only valid at the specific locations and on the days and times shown on the front of this licence. It is only valid for the specified pavement or street display. 
3. You must position your pavement or street display close to the premises unless the council agrees to something different with you in writing.  A minimum of 1.5 meters must remain along the line of the display between the object's edge and the kerb, posts columns, trees, street furniture or other highway boundary. Passers-by must be able to pass freely. 
4. As the licence holder, you must have, at all times, public liability insurance coverage with a minimum liability of £5 million.
5. As the licence holder, you must not cause nuisance, interference or inconvenience to anyone using the street, including other businesses or residents. 
6. Pavement or street displays cannot be positioned in a way which causes a risk to the safety of anyone using street a, including other businesses or residents.
7. Only position pavement or street displays in a location with enough space. It cannot obstruct pedestrians or traffic.
8. The public highway must not be interfered with, changed, damaged or altered in any way.
9. All pavement and street displays must be removed from the highway at the end of the hours permitted by this licence unless the licensing authority gives a written exemption.
10. As the licence holder, you must comply with any direction given by an authorised local authority officer, their agents, the police, or other member of the emergency services. This may include orders to remove items immediately
11. As the licence holder, you are responsible for any claim. You will compensate the council for any injury, damage or loss that happens directly or indirectly from this licence.
12. The advertising must relate to the business. 

How to apply for a pavement or street display licence

Our online form is the quickest way to process and pay for your application. Applications must be submitted at least 5 weeks in advance. An application does not guarantee you will get permission.  

Applications will open on 1 October, 2023

Apply for a pavement or street display licence

What happens next

Once you’ve submitted your pavement or street display licence application, you’ll receive an email and a reference number confirming your application.

A licensing officer will carry out  a site visit to see if the location suits your proposed pavement or street display. 

There will be a 28-day consultation period for your application.  During this time the licensing team will: 

• publish details of the application on the council website 
• display a poster at or near the premises 
• consults with stakeholders in the highways team, the Metropolitan Police and the equalities officer or Kingston centre for independent living

Current applications in consultation

Current applications in consultation are available to view

Our decision 

Before we make a decision, we will consider all comments and observations we receive during the consultation period. Our decision is final and there are no routes to appeal. 

Make a complaint

If you are unhappy with the final decision or how we handled your application, you can complain to the council.