Moray Council encourages hospitality businesses to set-up outside safely
Moray Council has approved a permit application process, charges and guidance for the placement of furniture and non-furniture items on the public footways for outside dining at restaurants, cafes and pubs.
Until this year businesses looking to place furniture on public footways outside premises required planning permission. However, changes to Permitted Development Rights in Scotland brought in on 31 March 2023 removed the requirement for planning permission.
Appropriate facilities for outdoor eating and drinking has been highlighted as a way of supporting hospitality businesses and encouraging visitors to Moray’s town centres and coastal villages.
Now businesses in Moray can apply for a permit to site chairs, tables, barriers and signage outside their premises to provide outdoor dining all year round. The approved guidance aims to safeguard pedestrians, particularly those with mobility or visual impairments, and gives detail on the types of acceptable furniture, the location of furniture (including a 1.5m unobstructed corridor outside the premises), removable barriers required, and environmental responsibilities.
Leader of Moray Council, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “This update creates opportunities for businesses to operate in a different way. The guidance and permit application process makes it much easier for businesses to be supported into doing this and I look forward to seeing our vibrant town centres flourishing with this change.”
The £175 charge for permit applications, which is lower than the planning permission route previously required, will cover administration and inspection costs and links to apply online will be shared in due course.