Bristol – Street Party Capital of the UK
Bristol residents lead the country holding around 100 normally each year, with a peak of 210 held in 2010. This is partly just because of the local neighbourly culture, but also it is a result of Streets Alive’s various projects and the support of Bristol City Council Highways team since 2001 –Streets Alive is now closed down.
Bristol City Council road closure application forms are here.
Many streets also hold smaller informal street meets without closing roads and at different times of year.
Over the years Streets Alive ran many of its initiatives in Bristol including:
- Age Friendly Streets campaign for all ages.
- Waste reduction SwapShop system.
- Promoting street play helping kids to play in their houses, streets and neighbourhood.
- Also Playing Out the charity was inspired from street parties. These are a special regular short road closures for playing in streets. Get the Temporary Play Street Order form.
The leading street party community of the UK is Easton in Bristol with over 40 street parties, 19 being held in one year.
Other countrywide hotspots include Oxford, Brighton, Streatham and Richmond in London as well as Southampton.
For more ideas for your street party see our Resources page.
Road Signs, Bunting & Play Kits in Bristol
Streets Alive organised for residents in Bristol to loan street party kits from various community groups as listed below. The kits were funded by our various projects and the Council, for residents to borrow for their private street party. Some community events may use them as well.
The kit includes at least road signs (such as ‘Road Closed’, ‘Road Ahead Closed’) and sets of bunting. Please return bunting dry and folded. Some also have play kits.
Contact well in advance to book and arrange a time to pick up. In addition to a deposit they may ask for a donation towards keeping the kit up to date. You may also have to pass it on to another street on the same weekend.
Streets in your area may do Playing Out and have signs you could borrow. Look at their site to find the streets near you, and pop round to ask to borrow signs.
North Bristol
Bristol / BS6 Open Streets
Situated in Redland and providing loans of kit for Bishopston, Cotham, Redland, St Andrews etc.
Early booking preference is given to BS6 and BS7 postcodes.
bristolopenstreets.wordpress.com
Easton Community Centre
Kilburn Street, Bristol BS5 6AW
0117 954 1409 www.eastoncommunitycentre.org.uk
Southmead Youth Centre
Also have play kit to loan
Greystoke Avenue, Southmead, BS10 6AS
07751 032 397 www.southmead.org
South Bristol
Southvillle
Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Bristol BS3 1QG
0117 923 1039 www.southvillecentre.org.uk
Brislington
Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust
East Lodge reception, Bath Road BS4 3EW
0117 971 9117 www.arnosvale.org.uk
Open 10am to 4pm Monday to Sunday
They have some play kit including tug-of-war rope & swing ball.
Bishopsworth
Also have play things to loan
CSV, St David’s Centre, Queens Road, Bristol BS13 8LF
0117 935 9710 www.out2play.org.uk
