Anyone can apply to hold an outdoor event on our land.
An outdoor event is an organised public gathering that usually takes place in an open space.
View a map of all council-owned parks and public spaces.
Events include music festivals, sporting events, charity fund-raisers, seasonal markets, and more.
How to apply
You should apply online or using an application form depending on where the event will be hosted.
Events in the South Lakeland area
Apply online to use a park or open space in the South Lakeland area
Events in the Barrow and Eden areas
You should also:
- pay an admin fee
- hold at least £5 million public liability insurance
- have undertaken the relevant risk assessments
- supply the relevant insurance and supporting documentation. This can include site plans, an event management plan, and safety certificates.
We will advise if further documents are needed.
Please return the application and supporting documents to us digitally:
Events Team
Email: events3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Application notice period
You need to apply in advance of the event to allow us to process your application.
We recommend you provide the following notice:
- 8 weeks’ notice for events up to 50 people
- 3 months’ notice for events between 51 and 499 people
- 6 months’ notice for events between 500 and 4,999 people
- 10 months’ notice for events between 5,000 and 14,999 people
Application process
After reviewing your application, we'll let you know if we need any more information.
Applications are then reviewed by members of our Events Coordination Group (ECG). Several colleagues from internal departments make up the ECG, including:
- Highways
- Licensing
- Environmental Protection
- Parks and Open Spaces
- Insurance
- Environmental Health
- Estates/Assets
- Corporate Health and Safety
Members of the ECG may have questions or need more information and documents. In this event, we'll be in touch.
Once the ECG approves your application, it will progress to approval and licencing. We'll then issue a licence to occupy the land in advance of the event.
We may also undertake a inspection of the site before and after your event.
Costs
Cost for application
An non-refundable administration fee is payable on submission of each application.
Community and charity organisations will pay a £36.50 fee. Commercial organisations will pay a £100 fee.
Cost for using our land
Costs vary according to the size and nature of the event and the land used.
The fee is for hire of land only and does not include:
- extra fees for licensable activity
- other council services such as street cleaning or rubbish collection
Community, charity and not-for-profit organisations
| Number of attendees at any one time | Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 200 for up to 72-hour hire | £0 |
| 201 to 500 for up to 24-hour hire | £30 |
| 201 to 500 for up to 72-hour hire | £76 |
| 501 to 5,000 for up to 24-hour hire | £152 |
| More than 5,001 for up to 24-hour hire | £454 |
Commercial organisations
There is a negotiable fee to hire land for a single or many commercial event(s) on our land.
Event insurance
A minimum of £5 million Public Liability Insurance will provide cover against injury and damage claims.
We'll tell you if you need a higher level of Public Liability Insurance. You must also indemnify the Council against all third party liabilities.
Please enclose the Insurance Certificate with your application. If this isn't possible, please provide it as soon as possible.
Health and safety
You have a ‘duty of care’ under health and safety legislation when organising or managing an event.
This means you are legally responsible for the safety of:
- the public
- employees
- contractors
- volunteers
Martyn's Law will strengthen the security of events across the UK. We're supporting premises and event holders to prepare for the Act before April 2027.
Find information and guidance on event safety at:
Event licensing
To sell alcohol, play live music, and deliver other licensable activities, you may need a:
You may need a street collections licence to collect money or sell items for charity.
Find out more about street collections licencing
You may need street trading consent to sell, expose, or offer any article for sale in a street.
Find out more about street trading consent
You must apply for each license separately. We can provide support and guidance if required.
Restriction to highways
You must apply for any road closures that your event requires.
Processions, rejoicing, or illuminations events
You must apply for a Town Police Clauses Act 1847 road closure order.
Other events causing restriction to highways
You must apply for a temporary traffic regulation order.
Advertising your event
To use advertisement boards and posters, you may need advertisement consent. The local planning authority grants this.
Learn more about advertisement consent on GOV.UK
Contact us
Events Team
Email: events3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 373 3300