We love seeing our parks and open spaces used for events, fitness sessions and other community activities, and encourage everyone to get involved.
To find the most suitable location for your event or fitness / sessional activity, or more information about any of our parks and open spaces, please contact the Events Team at events@bedford.gov.uk before submitting your application.
Events in our parks and open spaces
Applications to hold events in a Council park or open space should be made at least three months in advance of the event date.
Conditions relating to events in our parks and open spaces
You must read the conditions relating to events held on Bedford Borough Council parkland before starting the online form below.
The full terms and conditions start on page 15 in our Events in Parkland application pack (PDF).
Externally organised music events in the Embankment area of Bedford are not permitted.
Use of fireworks/pyrotechnics is not permitted anywhere on Council land in the Borough.
If your event is ticketed / for commercial gain, a hire fee will be charged.
Once we have reviewed your application and if it is successful, we will ask to see:
- a completed risk assessment
- an event management plan
- relevant insurance documentation
Mid/large scale events may require a major incident plan.
Events advisory group
Through our events advisory group (EAG) we work with partners to promote practical standards of public safety at all public events in the Borough, and to encourage the wellbeing of the public at those events.
The EAG includes members from the ambulance, fire and police services, as well as relevant Council specialists who give aid, advice and support. The EAG aims to ensure that all events are successful while helping to manage the impact of public land/highway events on our communities.
Examples of public events considered by the group:
- fetes and fairs
- open air concerts and music festivals
- trade shows
- sporting events
- animal, agricultural and car/caravan shows
- open air entertainment including concerts, theatre and historic re-enactments
- firework displays
- large-scale company parties
- processions, marches and carnivals
- street parties
- charity stunts
- religious events
Once we have reviewed your event application, and if we find your documentation reaches the required standard, we will share your application with the EAG on your behalf.
If you make any changes to the risk assessment after you submit with your original online application, you must inform the EAG – do this by emailing events@bedford.gov.uk.
Food, drink and other licence requirements
If you plan to serve food and/or drink at your event, please consult with our Environmental Health and Trading Standards teams.
If you are planning activities that may require a licence at your event, such as the sale of alcohol, music, dance, cinema / presentation, please ensure you have the correct licences in place.
Apply online to hold an event in a Council park or open space
You can apply to hold an event in a Council park or open space using the online form below.
You will need to provide information about your event, including details of the person organising it as well as the person who will be responsible for Health and Safety (who cannot be the event organiser). You’ll also need to tell us things like dates, preferred location, access start and end times, estimated attendance and times you want the event to be open to the public.
By submitting the form you agree that you have read and accepted how we process your personal data.
Please read The full terms and conditions start on page 15 in our Events in Parkland application pack (PDF).
Use the button to apply as a guest:
Alternatively, login to / register for a Council Services account to make your application.
Fitness / sessional activities in our parks and open spaces
We welcome online applications for fitness / sessional activities in our parks and open spaces.
Conditions and fees apply – see below.
When you complete the online form, you will be asked where and how often you would like to hold your fitness / sessional activity. You should try to find quiet / low usage times to prevent our parks / open spaces from becoming too busy.
You will also be asked to upload documents as evidence of your Public liability insurance (up to £10 million) and your risk assessment.
Conditions relating to fitness / sessional activities in our parks and open spaces
You must read the Conditions relating to events held on Bedford Borough Council parkland (PDF) before starting the online form below.
If your application to hold fitness / sessional activities is successful, the instructors named in your application will be issued with a permit card. Please ensure you type instructor names carefully when you complete the online forms as these are the names that will appear on the permits.
All commercial fitness groups operating on Bedford Borough Council land will be charged according to usage, and must be able to produce a valid permit card at all times.
You should not sell food and drink during your sessions/activities. For any licencing questions, please go to our licensing webpages.
Fees
The fees to run fitness / sessional activities in our parks and open spaces are shown in the table below.
| Number of sessions | Number of clients | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 session per week | 5 Clients or less per session | £55 |
| 2-4 sessions per week | 5 Clients or less per session | £82.50 |
| 5+ sessions per week | 5 Clients or less per session | £110 |
| 1 session per week | 6+ Clients per session | £220 |
| 2-4 sessions per week | 6+ Clients per session | £330 |
| 5+ sessions per week | 6+ Clients per session | £440 |
We will send an invoice for a full year, in advance, to the address you supply in the online form. To supply a different billing address, please email us at events@bedford.gov.uk
You can contact us (Council Debtors Team) to arrange a payment plan.
Apply online to hold fitness or sessional activities in a Council park or open space
Please ensure you have copies of your public liability insurance and risk assessment documents ready to upload as part of your online application.
By submitting the form you agree that you have read and accepted how we process your personal data.
Use the button to report as a guest:
Apply to hold fitness or sessional activities
Alternatively, login to / register for a Council Services account to apply to hold a fitness or sessional activity.
Helpful resources to support your event planning and delivery
- Event Application pack (PDF)
- Fitness and sessional activities application pack (PDF)
- Guide to Organising Safe Events (PDF)
- River Great Ouse Event Form (for events which include use of the River Great Ouse or waterways regulated by The Environment Agency) (PDF)
- Traffic Regulation Orders (for events on or affecting a public highway)
- Balloon and Sky Lantern Release Policy (PDF)
- Drones and Model Aircraft Policy (PDF)