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If you live on a quiet residential road you might be able to have a Residents' Street Party. Find out how below.
Street parties and play streets offer a great opportunity to meet your neighbours and experience your local area with reduced vehicles and improve air quality. Waltham Forest Council encourages these however it is important we ensure they’re both safe and legal.
Street parties are one-off or annual events co-ordinated by residents, they are traditionally hosted on national days of celebration or for events such as jumble trails however a street party can be thrown simply to close the road to through traffic so children can play out, to bring neighbours together or for a community event.
A street party must meet the below criteria:
Play streets are a free resident and community led initiative to enable children to play freely and safely in the street close to their home. Play street sessions are regular closures which can be held weekly or monthly. The street is closed to through traffic during play street sessions but open for resident access and emergency services access.
To host a play street (regular road closure session) we recommend that you must first host a street party.
Application form for a residents' Street Party Road Closure (PDF)
Street party guidance notes (PDF)
If your street party is a success and you would like to host a regular play street please email street.parties@walthamforest.gov.uk for further information and to discuss with the Behaviour Change Team how they can support your play street.
Throughout your street party please do share your activity and photos on social media by tagging Waltham Forest Council (Twitter: @wfcouncil or Instagram: @lbwalthamforest) and using the hashtag #WFStreetParties
An alcohol licence is only required if alcohol is sold. You do not need a licence to share drinks with your neighbours at a private party. If you want to sell alcohol, you need a Temporary Event Notice .
You can play live or recorded music. You do not need a licence, if
You will be responsible to ensure that music is kept to a reasonable level. Any additional lighting that the party uses must not be run off of the street lighting electricity supply.
You do not need a licence to sell food at a private party unless you want to only sell hot food and drink after 11pm.
If you use barbeques, they must be placed and used on private forecourts and gardens.
If the tombola/raffle tickets are sold on the day and the prizes are not worth more than £500 in total, then it will be exempt from gambling regulations. However, if tickets are sold in advance, you will need a lottery registration and should email street.parties@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Any proceeds from the tombola or raffle must go to a good cause such as charity or to cover the cost of your party.
Yes, you are responsible for the clearance of litter and residue from the party. Let people know in advance what time the party will finish and set aside space for bin bags and recycling.
Whilst a formal assessment is not required, you should think about minimising any risks from electricity, accidents, burns, damage, rain, breakages and so on. You may also want to consider a back up plan in case things go wrong e.g. What would you do if there was bad weather? Ensure that an adult is always in change of a barbeque, you can use plastic cups instead of glasses etc.
You will be responsible for the safety of the event. Agree in advance that everyone should take responsibility for themselves and watch out for each other, especially children. Note that bonfires must not be held on any part of the road including greens.