New licensing requirements at Bristol’s parks and green spaces are being introduced next month
The lake at St George Park, Bristol(Image: Sophie Grubb/Bristol Live)
Professional dog walkers and fitness instructors will soon be charged hundreds of pounds to use parks across Bristol. As part of new licensing requirements being introduced next month, anyone offering paid-for services in parks and green spaces managed by Bristol City Council will need to pay for a licence.
People who run exercise classes such as boot camps, yoga and walking groups, will also need to apply for a licence in order to operate in Bristol’s parks from Wednesday, October 1.
Similar licensing requirements have been in place in parks and green spaces across the UK for some time – including those run by the Royal Parks charity in London.
Bristol City Council has said the aim of this scheme is to help keep people safe, protect parks, and support fair access to Bristol’s shared spaces.
All parks run by the local authority will come under the new scheme, however Clifton and Durdham Downs may have a different pricing structure to the council’s scheme. These specific requirements and prices will be announced in due course.
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Licensing fees start at £450 per year for a single park (excluding The Downs) and £900 for those requiring a licence to cover multiple parks.
Dog walking licences are issued per individual walker and are valid for one park or green space only. For the 2025/26 year the licence for dog walking costs £450. One walker is allowed a maximum of six dogs at any one time.
Applications are already open for dog walking licences for Clifton and Durdham Downs. Businesses operating without a valid licence could face enforcement action, including fines.
The licence is not needed for informal or non-commercial activities like solo jogging and fitness, playing informal sports with friends of family or formal sports activities that already have an agreement with the council.
Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee, said: “Our parks and green spaces are some of Bristol’s most cherished public assets. By having this licensing requirement, we’re making sure they remain safe, welcoming, and well-managed for everyone who uses them. It also ensures that businesses operating in these spaces are properly insured and responsible.
“We’re working to strike a fair balance between supporting businesses that make use of our parks and protecting the experience of regular park visitors who enjoy these spaces for relaxation, exercise, and community.”
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