Questions
- I want to organise an outdoor event in Bath and North East Somerset. What do I need to do and where can I find advice and support?
- Where can I find out which B&NES park or open space is the best location for my event?
- Will I be charged a fee to use a B&NES park or open space for my outdoor event?
- How do I apply to close the road for my event and how long is the application process?
- I plan to sell food at my event. Where can I get advice?
- The event I am planning involves live music or entertainment which uses a sound system or tannoy. Where can I get expert advice about noise controls and community liaison?
- I want to organise a charity collection as part of my event. How do I do this?
- How do I safeguard children and vulnerable adults at an event?
- How do I book the bandstand in Royal Victoria Park or at Parade Gardens for a performance?
- How can I find out if the date of an outdoor event I’m planning clashes with that of another event?
- How do I find out about outdoor events and activities happening in Bath and North East Somerset?
- I want to put up a cross-street or pennant banner to advertise my event or festival. How do I apply?
- I want to put on an outdoor exhibition. How do I go about doing this?
- Where can I find the cost from B&NES Council for removing waste and recycling after my event?
- I want to organise a public fireworks display as part of my event - where can I find help and guidance?
- I want to use chalk stencils on the pavement to let people know about my event - what do I need to do?
- What is the guidance on releasing sky lanterns at my event?
- I would like to hold a bonfire for fireworks night - can you offer any advice?
Answers
1. I want to organise an outdoor event in Bath and North East Somerset. What do I need to do and where can I find advice and support?
The Council has created a detailed section for event organisers. It covers all the things you will need to do if you are planning an event. It also lists the key people you will need to contact and the timescale you will need to work to when applying for any licences or permissions you may need.
- Visit the Organise an Event page.
- When you first start to plan an outdoor event you will want to check what else is happening on your chosen date.
2. Where can I find out which B&NES park or open space is the best location for my event?
- Visit the B&NES Parks and Open Spaces pages for more information about some of the beautiful green spaces in our area.
3. Will I be charged a fee to use a B&NES park or open space for my outdoor event?
You may be asked to pay a fee in order to hold your event in a B&NES park or open space. The B&NES parks and open spaces land hire fee ratecard provides current charges for this year.
4. How do I apply to close the road for my event and how long is the application process?
You will need to fill in a road closure application form, supply a map with details of your plans and, if applicable, make payment in advance. You should begin making an application at least 12 weeks before your event. For more information, please see the Event Forms & Guidance page or contact the Traffic and Safety Team on 01225 395386 or transportation@bathnes.gov.uk.
5. I plan to sell food at my event – where can I get advice?
Visit the Council’s online Events Toolkit which has a helpful section on food safety for outdoor events.
6. The event I am planning involves live music or entertainment which uses a sound system or tannoy. Where can I get expert advice about noise controls and community liaison?
Use the B&NES Code of Practice and Guidance for Control of Noise from Concerts and Events which has useful suggestions and contacts to help you plan a safe and successful live music event.
7. I want to organise a charity collection as part of my event – how do I do this?
Ring Licensing Services on 01225 396911 or email licensing@bathnes.gov.uk to find out which days and times are available and to prevent a ‘double-booking’ with another charity.
8. How do I safeguard children and vulnerable adults at an event?
The Council has created a policy that sets out the standards it expects event organisers to work to in order to safeguard children and adults who may be considered vulnerable. Visit the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults at Events page for more information and to obtain a copy of the policy.
Further advice and guidance about safeguarding can found on the following page: Safeguarding Children and Young People Participating in the Arts. While this page refers to arts events, most of the information and advice given also applies to other types of event.
9. How do I book the bandstand in Royal Victoria Park or at Parade Gardens for a performance?
- Complete the Event Application Form and email it to event@bathnes.gov.uk. We can then check and advise you if the bandstand is available on your chosen date.
- To find out more about the current season of free-to-attend music events in B&NES parks visit the Parks and Open Spaces Bandstand Concerts page.
10. How can I find out if the date of an outdoor event I’m planning clashes with that of another event?
Contact the Events Office to check your chosen date and location - 01225 396056 or Event@bathnes.gov.uk
11. How do I find out about outdoor events and activities happening in Bath and North East Somerset?
To find out more about what’s on, when and where in this area, visit these online listings pages:
- The Bath Box Office What's On page
- The Visit Bath What's On page
- Cityofbath.co.uk and click the Arts and Entertainment tabs
- Listomania Bath
12. I want to put up a cross-street or pennant banner to advertise my event or festival. How do I apply?
You can find guidance on how to apply for banners or flags to advertise your event or festival on the Temporary Banners and Flags page.
13. I want to put on an outdoor exhibition. How do I go about doing this?
You will find guidance about putting on an outdoor exhibition on the Public Art – Temporary Outdoor Exhibitions page.
14. Where can I find the cost from B&NES Council for removing waste and recycling after my event?
Bath and North East Somerset Council collect recycling and waste throughout the area. We offer collection advice and a variety of containers to suit your event needs. Quotations given for big and small events. For more information, please download the Waste and Recycling brochure on the right hand side of the page, call 01225 394041 or visit the Waste and Recycling Services webpage.
15. I want to organise a public fireworks display as part of my event - where can I find help and guidance?
Please contact event@bathnes.gov.uk at least six months before the date of the display to tell us about your plans. You may want to consider using low noise fireworks for your display as this is the most sustainable approach to animal and bird welfare. Please contact public_protection@bathnes.gov.uk to discuss your proposed launch site and for help in planning the display to minimise noise nuisance. Useful guidance is also given in the HSE publication "Working together on Fireworks Displays".
16. I want to use chalk stencils on the pavement to let people know about my event - what do I need to do?
All chalk stencils must use water soluble chalk so that they can be removed. For permission to do this, you will need to email your request to both highways@bathnes.gov.uk and neighbourhood_services@bathnes.gov.uk with the following information:
- Where you want the stencils
- How big the stencils are
- An image of what the stencils look like
As chalk stencils are temporary and do not make any impact or damage to the pavement or building it is on, you will not need to apply for planning permission.
17. What is the guidance on releasing sky lanterns at my event?
Avon Fire & Rescue Service does not endorse the use of Chinese sky lanterns and would strongly discourage their use.
The floating lanterns contain a naked flame which represents a significant fire risk to life and property when they come down to earth. Footage from a CCTV camera proved a single lantern was to blame for a fire at a recycling plant in the West Midlands in 2013 which had to be tackled by more than 200 firefighters and 39 fire engines. For further advice and guidance, please read the Avon Fire & Rescue Service website.
18. I would like to hold a bonfire for fireworks night - can you offer any advice?
Please see the page 'Event advice regarding bonfires and fireworks' for advice on holding a bonfire event on council owned land. For additional advice on organising bonfire and firework events, please see the Government's Celebrating Bonfire Night guidance.