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Advice for Queen’s birthday street party celebrations
02 Mar 2016
by Simon Alton

People across the UK are being encouraged to hold street parties later this year to celebrate The Queen’s 90th birthday.

And a licensing expert at a law firm in Shropshire says the age of health and safety rules being a barrier to people organising their own festivities is a thing of the past.

The Queen’s official 90th birthday is being celebrated by a huge street party on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace on June 12, and organisers are calling on people across the country to hold their own street parties at the same time.

Cindy Darlington, licensing manager at Lanyon Bowdler in Shrewsbury, said as long as people planned in advance and followed some simple guidelines there was no reason why the streets of Shropshire should not be full of bunting and picnic tables on June 12.

She said: “There is a common misconception that holding a street party requires all sorts of licences and permissions, but that’s really not the case.

“The Government has worked hard over recent years to make it easier for people to hold street parties, particularly in the run-up to The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

“I am often asked for advice by people organising events, and unless you are selling alcohol or performing loud music, or expecting huge crowds of people, there is no need for a licence.

“You don’t need a road closure notice if your party is in a small residential street, but it is important to speak to the council in plenty of time to let them know your plans and they will be able to confirm the details with you.

“Licensing has never meant to be a means of clamping down on people having fun, and although that may have been the public perception in the past, there is a real desire from the Government and councils to make it as easy as possible for people to join in with The Queen’s celebrations in June.

“But if anyone has any questions, I would be happy to talk them through their event to make sure there aren’t any issues.”

Cindy is based at Lanyon Bowdler’s Shrewsbury offices in Abbey Foregate and can be contacted on 01743 280234.

Cindy Darlington

Cindy Darlington