Park Licensing Dispute Leaves Choir Founder Confused

Hundreds of signatories have rallied behind a petition calling on Bristol City Council to revise its new licensing regulations, which are impacting a local postnatal choir. The Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) choir, led by founder Julia Turner, offers singing sessions for new mothers across three Bristol parks. However, Turner reports that maintaining affordable class prices has become increasingly challenging due to the council’s requirement that she pay an annual fee of £400 for park usage. Turner expressed frustration, noting that professional dog walkers pay lower rates than her organization does.

The controversy is part of a broader issue affecting dozens of small enterprises following the council’s introduction of a new licensing scheme last month, which mandates fees for operating within public parks. Council officials maintain that these licenses are essential for ensuring public safety and are not designed to favor specific business models.

Turner, who charges £8 per session, emphasized the vital role the choir plays in supporting new mothers during a vulnerable time. "It saddens me," she said, highlighting the risk of postnatal depression. "It's a chance to get together and singing is quite bonding. Being outside adds so much to the wellbeing benefits of singing because we're around the trees."

Despite the charitable nature of the service, Turner described the fee disparity as "baffling." She pointed out that she is required to pay 50% more than dog walkers, even though commercial dog walking operations utilize the parks more frequently. "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," she added.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, 85 businesses have already applied for licenses under the new system. A 50% discount is offered to entities with an annual turnover under £25,000 that utilize seven or fewer of the city’s parks.

Critics argue the policy is damaging community engagement. Kate Spreadbury of the Bristol Parks Forum stated that the fees have made it financially unviable for her group to continue 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 reiterated that the licensing framework ensures all park users are properly insured and qualified, thereby keeping green spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone. The authority confirmed that any revenue generated from these licenses will be directly reinvested into park maintenance and improvements.

Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee, addressed the comparison with dog walkers specifically. "There is no specific discount applied to professional dog walkers, who are charged under a different fee structure to the Parks Business Licence," Williams explained. He noted that this model aligns with how other local authorities manage commercial dog walking and insisted that the current approach does not offer preferential treatment to any particular type of business.

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