Businesses with outdoor seating areas reminded to apply for appropriate permissions

24 November 2021

Businesses across the city were today reminded if they want to make permanent any additional outdoor seating space they have erected during the Covid-19 pandemic they need to apply for appropriate permissions before 25 January.

Aberdeen City Council has put links for the various permissions needed into one page on its website alongside some questions and answers.

The council’s approach to outdoor seating was relaxed last year to enable cafes, restaurants and bars to fast-track through the usual processes. However, from 25 January, normal processes and procedures for obtaining permissions for outdoor seating will apply.

Aberdeen City Council’s city growth and resources committee agreed in August that  “the use of green spaces, carparks, parks, roads, etc. by private businesses for outdoor trading to cease from 23:59 on 24 January 2022 or to be regularised through the appropriate processes”.

So any business wishing to continue with their outdoor space must apply for the appropriate permissions before 25 January.

The information for applying for permissions for businesses can be found at Guidance on utilising outdoor spaces for pubs and restaurants | Aberdeen City Council