The government has announced plans to overhaul planning and licensing rules to make it quicker and easier for new cafes, bars and music venues to open in place of disused shops.
Communities and town centres across the UK could benefit from a wave of new hospitality and music venues, as the government announces plans to slash red tape in order to breathe new life into the high street.
The government is to introduce a new National Licensing Policy Framework, which will modernise outdated planning and licensing rules, promising to cut the cost, complexity and time it takes to open and operate hospitality venues. The new "hospitality zones" will fast-track permissions for alfresco dining, pubs, bars and street parties and make it easier to convert disused shops into hospitality venues.
"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." Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
The reforms will also protect long-standing venues from noise complaints by new developments. It will do this by introducing the "Agent of Change" principle into national planning and licensing policy; it means that developers will be responsible for sound-proofing their buildings if they choose to build near existing pubs, clubs or music venues.
Turning empty shops into new businesses
The new National Licensing Policy Framework will streamline the process for getting planning permission and licences, removing the patchwork of local rules that currently delay or deter small businesses from opening. This transformation is already underway through the High Street Rental Auction Scheme, which gives councils the power to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been vacant for over a year, turning empty shops back into thriving businesses.
The plans have been welcomed by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Craig Beaumont, FSB executive director, said: "With the Women’s Euros final bringing communities together to watch and enjoy in our pubs, bars, cafes and community venues tonight, this move is a welcome win for small firms. By cutting red tape, this enables small businesses to serve more customers outdoors. Let’s hope this is just the kick-off to a bold, long-term small business strategy."
Small Business Plan to be launched
The government is set to launch its Small Business Plan, which promises to deliver on the Plan for Change by setting out further steps to unlock the full potential of the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs - who collectively contribute £2.8 trillion in turnover and provide 60% of all private sector jobs. The government has also committed to reducing the administrative costs of business regulation by at least 25%.
Written by Rachel Miller.