Recent Young’s and PP Successes: Are pubs finally getting the support they deserve?

Many will be aware of the challenges that the pub and hospitality sectors have faced historically and more pertinently since COVID struck in March 2020. However, we are feeling optimistic in the Leisure Team that pubs may finally be getting the support they deserve, from a planning perspective, to enable them to adapt and survive.

Planning Potential represent Young & Co.’s Brewery (Young’s) and we have been assisting with the development and adaption of pubs in a mission to maximise their sales opportunities to maintain their strong position within the market. In most cases, this has meant seeking to mitigate lost trade by providing outdoor drinking and dining opportunities in the form of rooftop mezzanines and terraces. The avid Planner will know that these are commonly tricky applications, given the usual proximity to residential units, and design challenges due to many pubs’ historic designations and focal point within communities.

However, within the last two months, on behalf of Young’s, we have secured three application successes for rooftop terraces/flexible mansard extensions at key Youngs sites. A new rooftop terrace was secured at ‘The Phoenix’ in Victoria and an openable mansard roof extension was secured at ‘The Marquess’, in Covent Garden, at a prominent corner location opposite the Royal Opera House. Youngs were also delighted when we secured a new rear extension and riverside mezzanine at ‘The Weyside’ in Guildford. These new terrace schemes will enable the pubs to trade more flexibly, come rain or shine, increasing their offer to customers and their long-term viability.

The Government seems to have finally got the message too. We were delighted to hear that from the start of this month, the Government introduced changes to permitted development rights to allow pubs to install gazebos on their own land without the need for planning permission, helping them to better make use of their outside space all year round. The changes to permitted development rights were first introduced last year as a temporary measure to boost small businesses whilst national restrictions were implemented, but have now thankfully been made permanent. The changes allow for:

• Pubs, cafés, and restaurants are now able to erect one moveable structure for an unlimited number of days without the need for a planning application (Part 2, Class G, Schedule 2, GPDO); and
• Listed pubs, restaurants, cafés, and historic visitor attractions are now able to erect a moveable structure for 120 days in a 12-month period, subject to prior approval by the local council (Part 4 Class BB, Schedule 2, GPDO). This will ensure the protection of historic assets whilst also making best and most efficient use of their outdoor spaces.

As with most permitted development rights, certain limitations and conditions apply, but this is certainly a step in the right direction and should help pubs, restaurants, and cafés to trade more flexibly in the coming months and years.

If you need help on any of these matters, we are well versed and ready to assist. Please contact [email protected] for further assistance and advice.