Last chance to get your street parties planned for the summer

21 April 2017

This year’s national Big Lunch campaign takes place on Sunday 18 June and once again Southwark Council is offering a FREE road closure service for party organisers to encourage communities to take part in this great event.

The Big Lunch is part of The Great Get-Together weekend, a partnership with the Jo Cox Foundation aiming to get communities to come together to celebrate connections and commonality. Big Lunch is also promoting The Big Iftar to encourage communities to come together to share iftars with friends and neighbours.
All applications for street parties taking place over that weekend must be submitted to the Events and Arts team by Monday 8 May, 2017.

Cllr Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for communities and safety, said: “Street parties are a great way for communities to get together and the perfect opportunity to get to know neighbours. 

“Unlike in other London boroughs, Southwark makes no charge for residents to apply for road closures and there is a simplified application process for approval so why not get together with your neighbours this year.”

Southwark, through its highways contractors, also provides road closure signage and does not make it compulsory for organisers to have insurance to carry out a street party.

Applying to hold a street party is easy – all you need to follow are a few simple rules

  • There must be three named organisers who should all be over 18 and residents of the street to be closed
  • The three named organisers cannot be from the same address and at least one of the named organisers must be present at any one time during the street party
  • A street party is not a public event and should not be advertised other than directly to the residents of the street
  • Street parties are not allowed to continue after dusk

Getting permission

  • Submit your application by the deadline. The application form is available from the events team and online
  • Consult with your neighbours in writing. This must be delivered to every premises on the street and must give contact details for at least one of the organisers and for the council. A letter template is available from the Events and  Arts team and online
  • The council will notify you in writing whether the application is successful or not
  • The decision of the council is final

If a street party is too much you can simply organise an informal picnic in one of the council’s 130 parks and open spaces. Most picnics won’t need permission, but if you are unsure just contact the Events and Arts team for advice.

Page last updated: 21 April 2017

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