Temporary street space fund

Skip to:

The Temporary Street Space Fund has been set up to help businesses make the most of the outdoor space in front of their premises, to trade from and restore their trading capacity lost during the pandemic.

In July 2021, the Government announced the extension of the temporary outdoor trading measures until the end of September 2022. Following a successful first phase in 2020, which provided expanded outdoor trading to 25 businesses across the borough, we have decided to expand the fund.

Due to the national success of the scheme, in July 2022 the Government has announced the further extension of the scheme until the end of September 2023. The second phase has been completed this year, and has upgraded some of the existing parklets units in Golders Green and Mill Hill town centres.

We have also supported a further nine businesses to access outdoor trading space in Edgware, Finchley Central, North Finchley and West Hendon through this phase. 

Following the Government’s announcement in October 2021 to extend the temporary outdoor trading measures until the end of September 2022, we have invested in the expansion of the fund to continue to support local businesses on their path to economy recovery.

How we can support your Business

By utilising wide pavements in front of properties and car parking spaces, traders have been able to create temporary outdoor seating areas for customers.

Example of an outdoor seating area at Florentin, Golders Green:

Outdoor seating in Golder Green

The fund provided the following support to town centre businesses, venues and community groups:

  • Support to securing a fast track pavement licence to obtain the relevant permissions to make changes to outdoor space.
  • Installing temporary planted furniture to create a safe, attractive enclosed area that can increase the trading capacity by up to 16 additional seats.

In participating in the fund, groups will be expected to:

  • Uphold and apply for a £100 Pavement Licence which will give you a trading permit until 30th September 2023.
  • Use the space daily and ensure that it is kept clean and well maintained, and that the plants are well looked after.

Full information around the scheme is set out within the prospectus.

Temporary street space prospectus (PDF 866KB)

What our participating businesses think

Following completion of the initial phase of the fund, we undertook a survey to hear what participating businesses thought of the scheme. The survey indicated that that all participating would like to continue using the space in the future, and over 90% agreed that the parklets had been important in supporting their business.

The businesses also reported the following benefits:

  • An increased capacity for attracting and serving customers.
  • Provision of a safe space for 'COVID conscious' customers.
  • Promotion of new types of alfresco dining helping to attract new customers
  • Additional character and vibrancy to the high street through planting.

Register your interest

The Temporary Street Space fund has now closed to applications. However, new businesses who wish to apply are encouraged to register their interest, and they will be added to the waiting list for any re-allocated parklets. Please note, the reopening of this fund is related to the re-allocation of existing units.

To register an interest in participating in the scheme, email Temporary Street Space fund with your business name and business address. Should a space become available, we will invite you to complete the application form.

Temporary street space application form (PDF 293KB)

Please be aware that as part of processing and approving the application form to receive a Pavement Licence until September 2023, there will be a £100 fee charged by the Council to put this licence in place. The licence will need to be upheld throughout the period that the parklet is in place.

Monitoring

All applications are reviewed by the Council's Highways and Licensing teams to ensure that the proposed measures are appropriate and safe. Any loading bays and disabled bays that are affected by the scheme are also re-allocated nearby.

The impact of the Temporary Town Centre Street Space fund is continually being assessed. If the programme is deemed successful, the Council will consider expanding the fund to support more businesses in the future. If at any point the business decides to cease trading in the public realm, temporarily reallocated parking spaces will become available for parking again.