Street parties

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Do I Need to Consult?

It is a requirement that all affected properties be consulted prior to the Council agreeing to any closure, this will avoid unnecessary conflict at the event. All residents in the road must be informed of (and most would need to be in agreement with) the proposed closure*.

You will need to send round paper invitations - this is needed to show the council that you have consulted everyone. Most street parties are for residents only and there should be no outside 'publicity' - that would make it a public event.

Nb. *This advice is taken from The Communities and Local Government website 'Celebrating your Community' party pages.

Do I need insurance for the street party?

The Council does not insist that organisers of street parties purchase third party public liability insurance for street parties, however, we strongly recommend that you take out cover for any possible eventualities for the duration of your street party road closure.

Organisers will, of course, be responsible for the safety of the event.  In practice street parties are usually very low risk events, but you should review the risks involved. Planning a safe event is the best way of reducing risks. Carry out a risk assessment: think about minimising any risks from electricity, accident, burns, damage, rain, breakages, etc. Agree in advance that everyone should take responsibility for themselves and watch out for each other, especially children - you might say this on your invitation.

Can I have music?

Yes you can. If your street party is a private party for residents and the music is not advertised in advance to attract people - and you're not making money - then there is no need for a license for your music, whether it's live or recorded. See the advice below and also the advice from the Councils Environment Services Noise Team at the end of this document.

Do I need a licence to serve alcohol or provide musical entertainment?

You should not need to apply to the council for a licence if any 'performance' is 'incidental' to the day or 'background', including recorded music. If you have a programme of bands, etc. you would need to apply for one.

You are only required to have a licence if alcohol is sold.  At a private party, sharing drinks with your neighbours does not require a licence.  If you do want to sell alcohol, you will need to contact the Council for a licence which is available for £21.

To apply contact Licencing section on 020 8871 6160 or email licencing@wandsworth.gov.uk

Do we need a permit to serve food?

As a private party, you do not need a licence under the Licensing Act 2003 to sell food, unless you want to only sell hot food and drink after 11 pm.  You can always ask neighbours to bake, make sandwiches, or bring food to share with one another.  This is a good way of bringing different groups of people together.  For more information and advice email foodsafety@wandsworth.gov.uk or telephone 020 8871 6166/6139.

How do I close the street?

The street must be effectively closed to vehicular traffic at each end of the event area by the erection of conspicuous barriers.  A responsible person capable of moving the barrier quickly in the event of *an emergency vehicle requiring access must man these throughout the duration of the closure.  At each barrier a "Road Closed" sign, and, if required, a "Diversion" sign with appropriate arrow direction, must be securely placed.  Where required as part of the consent, the organiser must also provide diversion signs along the diversion route.  Signs reading "Diverted Traffic" with an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction must be clearly displayed and securely fixed along the alternative route.  These must be regulation signs (not drawn or printed).

*Access should be maintained at all times for emergency service vehicles; ideally a 4:00 metre (approx 13') width for the length of the closure is to be kept clear for emergency vehicles.

Nb*.   A Street party will not be permitted on a bus route.

Nb**. There must always be unrestricted access for pedestrians.

How do I obtain Signs and Barriers?

The council can provide the required regulation signs, cones and barriers for your party. These are available to hire, at cost, from the council's depot located at:

    Frogmore Stores

     Frogmore Complex

     Dormay Street

     London SW18 1EY

     Contact 020 8871 6767 or email kyeomanson@wandsworth.gov.uk

     Opening hours 07:30 am to 16:30 pm

An approximate price for 2 'Road Closed' signs plus 2 barriers is £30.00.   Additional signs will cost an extra £5 per sign.  Please book early.  These must be collected and returned to the depot at the Frogmore Complex.

Alternatively, regulation signs can be hired or purchased from tool & equipment specialists such as; HSS Hire, Speedy Hire, etc.

Who will clean the road after the party?

The clearance of litter and residue from the party will be the responsibility of the organiser. Please contact the Environment and Community Services Department for advice (Tel 020 8871 6377).

How long can I close the road for?

The council will consider the closure for the hours requested and will agree if not excessive. Taking noise into account a street party finish time of 8:00 pm is reasonable.

Do I need to tell the emergency services?

Yes. The Council requires party organisers to contact the emergency services (and Transport for London, if the street party affects a bus route) to tell them of the event. Here are some useful contacts:

Fire Service: London Fire Brigade
169 Union Street
London
SE1 0LL

Telephone: 020 8555 1200 

email: info@london-fire.gov.uk

textphone: 020 7960 3629 is available for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Ambulance Service: The London Ambulance Service

St Andrews House
St Andrews Way
London E3 3PA
Telephone: 020 3069 0240
Fax: 020 3069 0239
Email: communications@londonambulance.nhs.uk

Police: The Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team

112-118 Battersea Bridge Road
London
SW11 3AF

Telephone: 101

For easy web access to find your local Safer Neighbourhoods team go to: www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods and enter your postcode

Transport for London (Buses):

Dave Leslie, Area Manager - South  Region

Transport For London

Surface Transport

London Buses (Bus Operations)

Sycamore House

799 London Road

Thornton Heath

Surrey

CR7 6AW 

Telephone:  020 86659309

Email: dave.leslie@tfl.gov.uk

 

If you have any queries, require any further information or wish to check receipt of your application, contact Don Ogunyemi on 020 8871 6712 or email dogunyemi@wandsworth.gov.uk or streetworks@wandsworth.gov.uk 

Our office is open from 07:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday.

 

Advice from the Environmental Services Noise Control Team

Residents Street Parties and Noise

Contact: Paul Foster.  Telephone: 020 8871 7950

                                    Email pfoster@wandsworth.gov.uk

Although most residents may want to attend your street party, it is likely that not all will and others in surrounding streets will probably not want to be too disturbed by it, especially by noise.

If there are residential properties nearby, here are a few handy hints to try to ensure that everyone is happy with the event:

Notify any near neighbours of your event, the time it will finish including the organiser's name and telephone number to contact if they are disturbed by it.

Carry out regular checks outside your event to ensure that noise is not causing any disturbance to nearby residents; if it is then turn down the volume.

The level of noise acceptable in the middle of the afternoon might not be as acceptable at 8 o'clock at night. Therefore, make sure the noise level is lowered later in the evening when children or other local residents might be trying to sleep.

Ensure that partying does not carry on outside the area of your event and that partygoers consider neighbouring residents when they leave.