Our street party guide for residents

Meet your neighbours in your traffic free street

• Why have a street party?
• Top Tips for parties
• When to hold it
• Planning and meetings
• Involving everyone
• Activities
• Road Closure
• Insurance and safety
• Licences
• On the day
• Afterwards
• Your Questions

Why have a street party?

• To meet your neighbours in a fun way where everyone can join in. With busy and more independent lives we normally have fewer chances to bump into people.
• To build a friendly community, rather than being strangers - you don't have to become friends, just neighbours.
• The street is the best place to meet as it is right outside your house.
• To enjoy the street without cars which normally get in the way.
• All ages and backgrounds can mingle in a relaxed way with less fear of difference.
• Kids can play safely for a change and adults can join in.
• Other reasons - an anniversary, birthday, pancake day, June strawberry tea party or mid-summer day, The Big Lunch, Halloween or pre-Christmas.
• No reason - just for the fun of it. It doesn't have to be a Jubilee and it's a great British tradition, and not just for kids.

Join in Streets Alive's campaign to make street parties a regular neighbourly thing throughout the country. We are here to help you.

You can do it, it is not difficult, and this Guide tells you the key points - please share it:

This guidance is only for residents organising a simple street party in 1 or 2 quiet streets without external publicity. A wider public event in more streets needs extra arrangements.

When to hold it

You will need to start planning it 3-4 months in advance of a summer event. September is good. Sundays can be better as fewer people work. A basic plan for the day could be:

• remove cars by 11am
• lunch at 2 to bring everyone together
• tea party at 5
• finish by a time when you would not keep other neighbours awake

Other times of the year could be pancake day, June strawberry tea party or mid-summer day, Halloween, pre-Christmas or other festivals.

Planning and meetings

Start by asking a couple of neighbours you know whether they are keen. Agree a date early on.

Invite the whole street to the first meeting, ideally in the street as it is more welcoming. Or try different houses to meet. 2-3 more meetings will be needed to chat and plan.

Someone could take notes of who is doing what and to copy invitations to all houses. Keep meetings informal and share out the activities and jobs - don't let anyone dominate.

Involving everyone

Inviting people face to face is a must to get people involved. You need to send round paper invitations - this may be needed to show your council that you have 'consulted' everyone. Most street parties are for residents only and there is no outside 'publicity' (that would make it a public event).

Most neighbours will normally join in as it is right outside their door - they will have to decide whether not to go, if only for a short time. Read this encouraging story by an East London resident about his experience of organising a street party.

But allow for all tastes. Some, such as older people, can feel quite wary or vulnerable and so a little effort may be needed to encourage them, such as:

• invite them face to face
• assure them that your event is for all ages, and not just for kids - as street parties used to be
• put out chairs to sit on
• have a tea party and a cake competition
• have a quiz or display photos about the history of the street or neighbourhood
• celebrate the oldest person with a cake or something
• play music they like or ask them to show off their dance skills

Usual things for teenagers - give them jobs to do, physical games, music etc.

Download and use this template first invitation to your neighbours if you need one.

Set up a street Facebook group like in this great story.

But you will not be able to suit everyone - as long as you invite everyone, respect differences and don't seriously inconvenience anyone, you should be able to have your event anyway. Talk to people to prevent any formal 'objections' to the council road closure, but no one should be able to stop the event.

Activities

The basics are:

• Food to share at fixed times so you can all rub shoulders;
• Music for some time, especially live acoustic, but not too loud and finish early;
• Decorate the street e.g. with bunting - put it up early to get things going;
• Soft areas to sit - try a lounge with sofa and carpet for any toddlers;
• Focus activities together over a short time and in the middle part of the street.
• Games for all ages;
• Bunting - see our bunting guide - put it up early to get things going;

Road Closure

This should be straightforward. While you are inviting every house (and any business) in the street to be involved you are also effectively 'consulting' them about closing the road.

You will need to apply 4 to 12 weeks in advance for permission from your council traffic/highways department or Events team to close the road.

Councils vary a lot in what arrangements they require. The council, or you, will have to consult the fire, ambulance and police.

If your council wants to charge you for a road closures or has too complex procedures ask Streets Alive for help. We give detailed guidance to councils on this and some have made changes.

Think about alternative traffic routes. It is possible to close and move cars out from only part of a road.

Road Closure Signs

You will need to have some 'road closed' and perhaps other signs. Your council may lend them to you or tell you where you can hire them, or you could buy signs for about £50 each for future use.

You can also make signs by printing them from your computer onto paper. You can download signs here. Each download contains several A4 pages which can be printed out on a colour printer and stuck on to a cardboard or hardboard background.

The road closure notice from the council will need to be posted up in the street in time for the event.

If you can't close the road properly

Think instead about using the pavement (see photos below), parking bays, driveway, front garden - anywhere you can get people together in a 'Street Meet'. Or even have it in the local park or on a playing field. The event would be easier, more basic, fewer people might come, but still worth it.

Or have a pavement picnic / street meet including using parking spaces

Insurance and safety

Think about minimising any risks from accident, burns on a BBQ, damage, electricity, 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 the invitation.

Only a few larger street parties need Public Liability Insurance. It may not suit your needs - insurance does not stop anything going wrong - See our special guidance.

But your council may require insurance for the road closure and so you can buy it from as little as £79 via here. Larger public events would need insurance.

Licences

You should not normally need to apply to your council for a Temporary Event Notice licence if any 'performance' is 'incidental' to the day or 'background', including recorded music. This has been confirmed by many council licensing teams. If you are publicising a programme of bands etc. or are selling things like tickets, entrance or alcohol you would need to apply for a TEN at least 2 weeks in advance, costing about £21.

On the day

Following a note round all houses or on cars the day or week before, remind the last few people to move their cars. Get the bunting up early to get people going, along with the road barriers. And don't forget to clear up and move the barriers at the agreed time.

Afterwards - follow up and tell your story

Some keen residents will be planning your next one already! Having some follow-up can really make the most of the event.

Exhibit photos on a window/wall or put them on Flickr like this or on Picassa.

Set up a street Facebook group, a blog like this or even your own website like this or this.

Even carry out a survey of what people thought. Do you want to talk about social things, community safety or traffic - see our Traffic and Roads section.

Tell Streets Alive how it went and share with others. Our vision is to make street parties a regular part of life across the UK so join us in this campaign. We promote best practice with communities, the media and councils. What do you think of this website?

Your Questions

What if nobody wants to join in?

Don't worry, they usually will, even if they decide to join in on the day. It is rare that less half of the street join in. A bit of door knocking is important, especially to invite the shy or elderly. Read this encouraging story by an East London resident about his experience of organising a street party.

What to do about a resident who actively does not want the street party?

Really listen to their needs. They may have the wrong idea about the 'party'. Some people can worry about their car or of having to be sociable. If they cannot be reassured, offer to let them park wherever they want or even drive slowly in and out on the day. And if noise is kept low, they should have no reason to stop the majority of you going ahead. Your council should not let a single objection prevent them giving you permission.

What if it rains?

Be ready to cover things up and wait till it passes or delay your activities. Unless you are really unlucky, rain should not stop play.

Why not join more streets together?

You would lose the intimacy with your neighbours as it won't be right outside everyone's house. But, as long as it is for residents only and is not publicised externally it can work. A public event is different.

What can go wrong? Not much that can't be sorted

• An important delivery or a disabled driver has to drive in and out - be careful and let them.
• A child falls over or wanders into other roads - all adults should watch out for the children.
• Someone turns music up loud - they must be stopped to prevent neighbours being disturbed.
• Gatecrashers probably won't happen unless there is loud music late.

There are too many cars / residents parking?

You only need to move 8- 10 cars out to have enough space. Residents parking does not normally operate on weekends, but leafleting of cars is crucial.

Why is holding it in the street best?

The street is right outside people's houses so most people come. If closing the road is not possible then a park picnic, garden or building are good. Or why not use the pavement or your driveway for a street meet?

How do we raise money?

Money can get in the way and it is best to bring everything to share. Here are some suggestions if you need money for bunting.

How to deal with traffic long term?

Hooray, no traffic for the day. To reduce traffic or parking would be part of long term working with the council and there are groups who can help you. See our Roads and Traffic.

More questions? Just ask Streets Alive

Important note: This advice is to help in planning an event, but it is not intended to constitute a complete list of organisational arrangements, responsibilities or liabilities for the planning of a street party or event. Streets Alive Ltd. recommends that professional advice is sought if organisers are in any doubt.