Title: Park Licensing Fees Leave Choir Founder 'Confused' and 'Sad'

A petition garnering hundreds of signatures is calling on Bristol City Council to reconsider its new park licensing fees, which are impacting a postnatal singing group. The Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) choir, which offers sessions for new mothers across three Bristol parks, has become a focal point of the controversy.

Julia Turner, the choir’s founder, expressed confusion and disappointment regarding the council’s decision to charge her £400 annually for park usage. Turner noted that the fee structure is particularly difficult to sustain given that the choir charges only £8 per session to help alleviate postnatal depression through social bonding and outdoor activity. "It saddens me," Turner stated, highlighting the mental health support the group provides. "As a mother myself, I feel like we already have to deal with a lot. We don't have the mental health support that we should have. It just baffles and really saddens me."

Turner specifically pointed out the disparity in costs, describing it as "baffling" that she pays 50% more than professional dog walkers to access the same spaces, despite dog walking services utilizing the parks more frequently. She emphasized the therapeutic value of the environment, adding, "Being outside adds so much to the wellbeing benefits of singing because we're around the trees."

The choir is among dozens of small enterprises affected by the new licensing scheme introduced last month, which mandates payment for operating in city parks. So far, 85 businesses have submitted applications for licenses. The Local Democracy Reporting Service noted that a 50% discount is offered to organizations with an annual turnover under £25,000 that operate in seven or fewer parks.

Critics argue the policy undermines community engagement. Kate Spreadbury of the Bristol Parks Forum revealed that the fees have forced her organization to cease leading walks in the city. "If we want to have an active and inclusive city, we need to support the groups used and valued in our communities," Spreadbury said. "This policy is now doing real harm and we ask that you review its use urgently."

In response, Bristol City Council defended the licensing requirements, stating they are essential to ensure that park users are appropriately qualified, insured, and that green spaces remain safe and pleasant for all. The authority confirmed that any revenue generated from these licenses will be reinvested into park maintenance and improvements.

Addressing the concerns about unequal treatment, Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee, clarified that there is no specific discount for dog walkers. He explained that commercial dog walking falls under a different fee structure, a approach consistent with other local authorities. "This approach reflects how commercial dog walking is commonly managed by other local authorities and does not represent a reduction compared with other activities, nor is it intended to provide preferential treatment to any one type of business," Williams said.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-06 05:24:27 UTC