Councils have received hundreds of requests to hold street parties to celebrate the royal wedding on April 29th.
Some councils have waived road closure fees and others are offering grants to organisers or party packs including free bunting and flags. London has received 70 requests, Cardiff 24 requests, and Bristol 23 requests. More requests are expected as the application deadline in many areas does not close until April.
Councillor Chris White, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Programme Board, said in a statement: “Street parties are an established part of British culture, they’re a great way for people to meet their neighbours and strengthen community bonds and a tradition councils do their best to support.
“It’s great that we’re seeing such community spirit sweeping the nation; it’s exactly this spirit which will be so important in seeing us through the tough years ahead. And these applications are only for parties which require a road closure; there will be many more celebrations in gardens and homes across the country, and of course, many councils will be holding their own parties for residents.”
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is to take place in Westminster Abbey in front of about 1,900 guests.
