LANDLORDS are up in arms after being told to pay for outdoor seating on pavements.

Letters sent from the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council are asking businesses to fork out a licence fee of £200 for every 10 seats outside their premises.

Some landlords fear this may mean they have to remove their benches, tables and chairs, and others believe it is another obstacle making it more difficult for small pubs to stay in business.

Several landlords from Portland said the first they knew of the seating charges were when the letters arrived on their mats.

Darren Paul, 26, landlord of the Mermaid in Wakeham, Portland, said: "These seats have been here over 25 years, they aren't obstructing the pavement and we clean up any mess.

"They say they want to support 'caf culture', but how are they supporting us when they are trying to charge us that amount of money?"

Mr Paul's business partner Sue Williams, 54, added: "It's ridiculous. We have already paid enough for the new premises licence fee.

"With this on top, another £800, it is getting stupid."

The initial licence fee will be £200 per 10 seats per year and £125 a year after that.

In the interests of public safety licenses will only be given to premises where the seating does not obstruct the pavement.

David and Sheila Hall, owners of the Punchbowl in Easton Street, Portland, were also shocked to receive the letter.

Mr Hall, 58, said: "It's not just our customers who use the seats, elderly people and families use them during the day for a rest."

Mrs Hall, 66, added: "We often get comments on how nice it looks out the front.

"Our customers are just as surprised that the council want us to pay for something that benefits the entire community."

It was agreed at a council committee meeting almost four years ago to give new licences for seats on public pavements under the Highways Act 1980.

Premises have been issued with licences in the past, but the letters were recently sent out to Portland landlords after it came to their attention that premises had seats outside.

Spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council highways department, Alan Muncaster, said: "It's all to do with public safety.

"Unless we can licence the obstructions we are not covered by our insurance."