Parks and Green Spaces - Licensed Activities Open for Expressions of Interest
St Albans City and District Council is seeking to license businesses who wish to use one of more of their parks or greenspaces for their activities.
The Council are particularly interested to receive expressions of interest for the following sites:
If your preferred space is not listed above, this does not necessarily mean that this space cannot be used. Linked locations are indicative only.
This opportunity is open to a range of businesses that provide a diverse range of services. Some of the services that we feel would benefit the parks and green spaces are listed below.
- Fitness/Sport Sessions including Personal Training, Group Fitness Classes and Group Team Sport Sessions.
- Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions
- Animal Care and Training
- Art and Creative Classes
- Live Music
- Educational Activities and Session
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure whether your activity would be of interest to the Council, please email our team at the address provided below.
Why do I need a licence?
The licensing scheme enables us to manage and regulate the number of operators that operate in the parks. We licence operators to ensure that:
- The parks are protected.
- All visitors can access and use the public open spaces and parkland.
- All park visitors can take part in and enjoy fitness training in a variety of outdoor environments.
- All fitness operators hold appropriate qualifications, based on industry best practice. They must be fully insured and hold liability for the safety of everyone participating.
Required Documentation
You will need to provide evidence of the following when you apply. We may also carry out on-site checks to ensure you remain fully certified.
- Background checks known as the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) – trainers must supply relevant copies of individual checks if working with children and vulnerable adults.
- Qualifications - copies of Personal Training certification at REPs or equivalent.
- Insurance and public liability - copies of individual insurance and public liability for the duration of the period the permit has been issued for to the value of £10 million.
- Risk assessment - evidence that all risks have been considered should be included in a risk assessment to mitigate potential risk.
- Emergency and first aid plan - evidence that a first aid plan is in place if any accidents occur during the session.
Next steps
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the expression of interest form and send it to estates@stalbans.gov.uk
Please note that there is no guarantee that your expression of interest will result in a licence for your service.
Fees and Charges for Park and Green Spaces Licences
All providers will require a licence to operate in parks and open spaces in St Albans and District.
The fees payable will depend on the type of operator, as defined below. Community or Charity Activities may qualify for a concessionary rate on the annual licence fee. We may ask you to provide further information including company accounts on why you feel your activity falls into one of the categories below prior to approving your activity licence fee.
Commercial –– a regular activity with commercial benefit and intended to generate a profit
Charity – a regular activity that is organised with the sole purpose of raising money for charity. All proceeds (over and above costs) will be for charity.
Community – a regular activity that is organised by a charity, voluntary or community group in support of the community, for the benefit of the district or local residents. A community activity is either free for the public to attend or an activity that has no significant commercial benefit opportunities for profit-making businesses.
The following table outlines the fees for use of a Park and Green Spaces Licence within St Albans and District:
| Commercial Providers | |||
| Size of Group | Sessions per Week | Quarterly Rate | Annual Rate |
| Group Size 1 Fees | 1 to 7 | £75.00 | £200.00 |
| 8 to 14 | £150.00 | £500.00 | |
| 14 to 25 | £200.00 | £700.00 | |
| Group Size 2-25 | 1 | £100.00 | £300.00 |
| 2 to 4 | £175.00 | £600.00 | |
| 5 to 7 | £237.50 | £850.00 | |
| Group Size 25-50 Fees | 1 | £137.50 | £450.00 |
| 2 to 4 | £250.00 | £900.00 | |
| 5 to 7 | £362.50 | £1,350.00 | |
| Group Size 50+ Fees | 1 | £262.50 | £950.00 |
| 2 to 4 | £500.00 | £1,900.00 | |
| 5 to 7 | £725.00 | £2,800.00 | |
A standard 60% concessionary rate will be applied to the majority of community and charity groups; however if SADC determine that a different rate is more appropriate, it will be considered and granted upon application and review.
There will be a £100 Surveyor Fee that is incurred in setting up a new agreement. This is the minimum fee payable, more complex matters will attract additional fees and you will be advised if this is the case.
Other Opportunities
We also welcome interest from those who wish to be licensed to host a one-off event in our parks and green spaces, as well as from filmmakers seeking licenses to film on Council land in a variety of different locations.
These are dealt with via a different application process.
For more information on hosting a one-off events including information on how to apply, please go to:
For more information on applying for a filming licence go to: