The Big Lunch street party

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The Big Lunch party

How the Big Lunch started

The Big Lunch was a very simple idea started in 2009 by the Eden Project. The aim is to get as many people across the UK to have lunch with their neighbours, in a simple act of community, friendship and fun, once a year.

The idea grew out of national research showing that people were increasingly feeling isolated from their neighbours and that communities were not developing as they did in the past. Organisers say that while there is a significant minority of communities that are close-knit and act as a beacon for neighbourliness, many of the country's communities are, at best, anonymous.

Organising a Big Lunch street or park event

We want to support local communities to ensure that everybody enjoys celebrating the Coronation by throwing a street or park event on the Coronation weekend from Saturday 6 May to Monday 8 May 2023. To aid this, the council has for these special occasions, committed to covering the cost of the Traffic Management Orders required for road closures.

For further information, read the guidance on organising a street party

If you're planning to close your road or hold an event in one of the borough's parks or open spaces for the Big Lunch, there is certain information that we require. Your completed application form must be submitted by Friday 7 April 2023. We recommend submitting your application at least one month before the deadline. The weekend will be running over the 3 day period, however you can only select one day to host a big lunch event. 

Each application to hold a street party will be considered on its own merit, and several things will be considered as part of the application process:

  • the street cannot be part of the main road network or have a bus route operating on it
  • will there be high traffic or pedestrian disruption
  • nature of any objections to the event
  • will a diversion route would be required
  • will clashes with street maintenance works or other street parties already planned
  • the ability to maintain a route for emergency service vehicles
  • the Street event may take place for a single day on Sunday 7 May 2023, between the hours of 9am to 11pm

Traffic diversions for bus routes will not be put in place over the four days. If your road is used as a bus route, a road closure will not be granted. In addition, there will be no parking suspensions put in place.

Remember, if the road is not suitable you can apply to hold a party in other parks and open spaces. Please consider this and the safety of those attending when planning your event.