Peterborough has a variety of parks, open spaces and city centre settings which may on occasion be used for hosting events.
If you wish to host an event on council land, please read this page for information.
Who can apply to host an event on council land
Any person, group or organisation can apply to host an event on council land.
Private individuals do not need council approval to hold small, informal gatherings (maximum of 20 people) and private events, like picnics, within our parks. However, you must be considerate to other park users and keep noise to a minimum level. Your private event must not include any of the excluded elements stated in our site rules at the bottom of this page.
Council land available to hire for events
The Embankment and Cathedral Square are two of our most popular locations for hosting public events in Peterborough. We have other parks, open spaces and city centre locations available to hire for events.
For every application we receive, we must consider:
- Public safety
- Whether the land requested is the correct size and has enough capacity and facilities to accommodate your needs
- Whether the event would cause any disruption to neighbouring residents and businesses - in terms of noise etc
- Whether the event would cause any damage to our land and assets
- Highway management and parking
How much notice we require
A typical timeline from you submitting your preliminary event application would be:
- Ten working days for us to consider your preliminary event application and contact you with our decision
FOLLOWED BY EITHER - Eight weeks minimum between us giving you preliminary approval and your event date – to allow time to get all arrangements in place
OR - Twelve weeks minimum between us giving you preliminary approval and your event date – for complex or larger events, such as those that require Temporary Event Notices (where the event involves regulated entertainment – e.g. the sale of alcohol or the performance of music – which forms the main focus of the event) – to allow time to get all arrangements in place
We will only consider applications that meet our notice requirements.
Apply to host an event on council land
Please email events@peterborough.gov.uk to enquire about hosting an event on council land.
What happens next
We will contact you within 10 working days to let you know of our decision, based on the information you have submitted in your preliminary application.
If we approve your preliminary application, this will only be in principle. Following this, we will undertake a more detailed review of your proposed event before proceeding to formally grant approval.
We may ask you to provide further information and documentation to support your application.
As a minimum, you’ll be required to provide:
- Evidence of appropriate Public Liability Insurance which will cover claims up to £5 million
- Appropriate risk assessment documentation that covers your entire event and follows the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) event safety guidelines
We will inform you during the process when you need to have both of these minimum requirements in place.
Safety Advisory Group (SAG)
Your event may have to go before the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), depending on its size, location and nature. You can find out more information on our Health and Safety page.
Fees
We are currently reviewing our event fees, but may request a bond to cover the risk of damage caused by an event.
If damage is caused by an event, we will look to recover the cost of repairing it (and all costs associated with this) from the event holder.
If rubbish or waste is left behind after an event, we will look to recover the cost (including any administration fees) of this from the event holder.*
*Please note we expect all event holders that will produce waste to have in place a licensed waste management provider to collect and dispose of the waste. The event holder is responsible for all costs associated with this.
We reserve the right to refuse any future events from event holders that have deemed to have caused damage to open space and refused to cover the cost to repair it.
Site rules
Event parking
We do not typically accept applications for event parking, as parking is only allowed within car parks or on-street parking, where appropriate.
Private events - birthdays and weddings
We do not grant formal permission for private events within our parks such as birthday parties or weddings. However, you’re welcome to use the space informally to have a gathering such as a picnic.
Barbecues and fires
We do not allow barbecues or open fire within our parks and open spaces. This is to protect our parks, woodlands and local wildlife from the potential fire hazard and any related damage.
Fireworks
We do not allow fireworks in our parks and open spaces without prior permission. It is probable that permission would be declined for smaller events and sites close to residential properties.
Bouncy castles and trampolines
We generally prohibit the use of bouncy castles or trampolines on our property unless they are part of a larger event. In these instances, the event must be managed by a competent service provider who can:
- Demonstrate appropriate risk assessments
- Implement necessary control measures
- Meet all relevant standards and regulations
Flyposting
We do not allow flyposting in our parks and open spaces. If you would like to advertise your event around the city, please email communications@peterborough.gov.uk to discuss available options.
Tents, marquees and temporary structures
You must obtain prior consent from us if you wish to erect any structure on our land.
Vehicles, remote-controlled vehicles and drones
We do not allow motorised vehicles on our land without written permission.
The only exception is mobility scooters.
Read our guidance about using drones.
Destructive or harmful activities
Any event likely to cause physical damage to the park or open space, or inflict lasting harm on the site, wildlife, or habitat, will be prohibited.
Contact
Please email events@peterborough.gov.uk if you have a query or would like an informal discussion before submitting an application.