All Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Scunthorpe and Brigg places where you can dine outside al fresco-style this summer

As summer begins and northern Lincolnshire enjoys some fine weather, what better time to note the North and North East Lincolnshire venues where people could enjoy food and drink in the sunshine.

There are 21 venues across northern Lincolnshire that may put tables and chairs on public highways immediately outside their location. To do this, any venue, such as a pub or café, must get a pavement licence through the local authority.

They must show that there is enough space for the safe and free movement of all people using the highway. If removable furniture was able to be put out by all venues without conditions, it could impair the mobility of people.

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The licences were brought in because of the Covid pandemic. They were introduced in Summer 2020 to help hospitality businesses serve people sitting outside socially distanced.

Any business that sells food or drink can apply for it, whether an ice cream parlour, restaurant or coffee shop. The fee for applying varies by local authority, but is capped at £100. North Lincolnshire Council charges £95.

Below is the 11 places in North Lincolnshire Council area that have a pavement licence. Also included is the date it was first obtained. It can be seen that The Hop Inn in Brigg and Gatsby’s Bar and Grill in Barton-upon-Humber are new additions since last month.

North Lincolnshire

• 07/08/2020 – Magnolia Cafe and Restaurant, Scunthorpe, DN15 6EN

• 17/08/2020 – The Woolpack, Brigg, DN20 8HA

• 15/04/2021 – Greggs, High Street, Scunthorpe, DN15 6SB

• 16/04/2021 – Steel Rooms Ltd, Brigg, DN20 8EQ

• 01/06/2021 – Shipleys Curiositeas, Brigg, DN20 8JE

• 23/06/2021 – College Yard Cafe, Brigg, DN20 8JL

• 28/09/2021 – The Black Bull Inn, Brigg, DN20 8JH

• 01/11/2021 – The Blue Bell Inn, Scunthorpe, DN15 7PU

• 12/08/2022 – Colosseo, Scunthorpe, DN15 6NJ

• 23/05/2023 – Gatsbys Bar & Grill, Barton-Upon-Humber, DN18 5PS

• 25/05/2023 – The Hop Inn, Brigg, DN20 8ES

As well as a fee, places that apply must show details of the types of furniture they will place outside and proof of a current public liability insurance certificate with a minimum value of £5m.

Of course, the licences do not guarantee a venue will have outdoor dining. They can choose not to have it, despite permission to be able to. Below is the list of venues with a pavement licence in North East Lincolnshire. All four of Cleethorpes are on the town’s high street.

North East Lincolnshire

• Greggs, Victoria Street South, Grimsby, DN31 1UU

• Scratching Post, Cleethorpes, DN35 8JN

• Rift Bar, Cleethorpes, DN35 8JN

• Zero Degrees North, Cleethorpes, DN35 8JN

• Corporation Arms, Grimsby, DN32 7AG

• Walter’s, Grimsby, DN31 1DT

• The Parity, Grimsby, DN31 1EW

• Boston Brothers, Grimsby, DN31 1DG

North East Lincolnshire Council advises applicants online that the granting of pavement licences is made individually. Four criteria are looked at in particular: clear routes of access, public health and safety, public amenity, and accessibility.

In theory, there is a ticking clock for how long people can enjoy an al fresco-style dining experience in northern Lincolnshire. That is because pavement licences will all lapse after September 30, 2023.

However, licences to put tables and chairs outside the likes of pubs, bars and restaurants on public highways will be possible to apply for after this. That is just as well for North East Lincolnshire Council.

As part of the Cleethorpes Masterplan, Market Place in the seaside resort will be pedestrianised and transformed to allow for possible outdoor dining. This part of the masterplan, along with other elements, is backed by £18.4m Levelling Up Fund cash.

Updated guidance on how the pavement licensing will work has not yet been published by the government. If the current licence law is not extended, new licences will be granted under different legislation. Premises will all have to reapply nearer the time, with the updated guidance published by local authorities.

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