How to Plan a Street Party in Preston

A street party is the quickest way to meet everyone on your road in one afternoon. Most of the work is in the first few weeks: asking the council to close the road, finding out who wants to help, and borrowing what you need instead of buying it.

Do you need permission for a street party in Preston?

If you want to close the road to traffic, yes. Preston City Council handles road closures for residents' street parties, so contact them as early as you can. Councils usually ask for several weeks' notice, the date and times, and a simple plan of which part of the road you want closed. If you only want to use front gardens, a driveway or a nearby green, you may not need a closure at all.

Who should you ask first?

Knock on a few doors before you apply. You only need three or four people to share the jobs: one to deal with the council, one to sort tables and chairs, one to plan food, and one to look after games for children. Post the date on Local Now so neighbours a few streets away can see it too.

What can you borrow instead of buying?

Tables, chairs, gazebos, bunting, a speaker and extension leads are the things people buy and then use once. Somebody near you almost always has them in a shed or loft. Ask on Local Now with the date and what you need. One neighbour recently asked who could lend tables, bunting or a gazebo for a bank holiday party, which is exactly the right way to do it.

How do you sort the food?

Make it a bring-and-share. Ask each house to bring one dish and label anything with nuts. A shared table means nobody carries the cost and there is always too much cake.

What about insurance and safety?

Ask the council whether they need public liability insurance for your event, as rules differ. Keep a clear lane for emergency vehicles, put signs at each end of the closure, and make sure someone is in charge of taking the barriers down.

What happens after the party?

The best part of a street party is the week after, when people stop to chat outside instead of nodding and walking on. Start a Space on Local Now for your road so you can keep in touch, share spare veg or plan the next one.