Event guidance

Reading Borough Council delivers and facilitates a wide variety of public events and activities throughout the year.

Where activities are going ahead, there are a host of measures and risk assessments to complete. Officers are scheduling visits to check that they are being delivered safely and appropriately, in line with agreed management plans.

Reading Safety Team have produced a guide for event organisers to help them arrange safe events that meet all the legal obligations involved.

Council-run events

Following the recent Government announcement we are re-establishing our Events and Engagement programme across the Borough with amendments where required. See the full list of events here.

Events bookings in parks and open spaces

We receive a large number of enquiries from individuals and groups about hosting events and public engagement activities in our parks and open spaces.

Casual use

Our parks and gardens can be used by the public in a casual / informal manner for leisure activities (following all Government guidance and any COVID related restrictions that may be in place).

Please note that there is potential for planned/booked event activity at sites at certain times during the year. You would need to ensure that your activities were not prohibitive to others using the parkland.

Formal hire and use

If you want to formally organise activities in our parks and open spaces, please email events@reading.gov.uk with your enquiry.

A potential fee is applicable for the use of a parkland site for your activities.

Ahead of any proposed event, we would require evidence of public liability insurance (minimum £5 million cover) and would need to approve the practicalities of activities and ensure government guidelines allow.

As a public space, we may receive multiple booking enquiries for sites. There may also be other park users or other activities taking place on specific areas of sites.

Photographs

You can attend sites for photographs. We do not permit the use of confetti. We do not permit the consumption of alcohol without a formal agreement or relevant licence in place.

BBQ

BBQs are not permitted in any of Reading’s parks or open spaces, unless they are part of a formally organised community activity. You must provide public liability insurance, food hygiene certificates and hand wash facilities.

We would advise casual visitors to the parks to bring a picnic instead.