Support for Bristol play streets

Playing Out started in Bristol back in 2009 and it was the first city to introduce a Temporary Play Street Order.

How Playing Out provide support for Bristol play streets

In Bristol you can apply to close your road to through traffic for up to 3 hours every week. Every street is different, some choose monthly sessions, some fortnightly – it’s up to you!

A good place to start is by talking to any neighbours you know on the street, and then once you have some support you can decide WHEN and HOW OFTEN you want to Play Out and apply.

Bristol streets benefit from various different kinds of help. We are keen to support any new activity across the city no matter where you live – please get in touch!

If you are experiencing any difficulties or delays with your application please get in touch with us directly so we can support you.

Road closure kit to borrow – for free!

Just contact us to borrow Road Closed signs and traffic cones – if you are going to be playing out regularly and you have somewhere to store them, you can keep the signs and cones on long term loan. We can also provide you with a free kit bag with High Vis jackets, whistles, chunky pavement chalk and a skipping rope.

We are based at the lovely Windmill Hill City Farm in Bedminster – get in touch on [email protected]  or call us on 0117 953 7167

Friendly in person support if you want it

We can provide light touch support over the phone to help you through the process, and we might be able to come along to your first session if we have enough capacity in our team! We’re hoping to get some more funding soon for a Playing Out Activator to keep supporting residents far and wide around the city.

If you need more support – get in touch on [email protected]  or call us on 0117 953 7167

Friendly facebook group

There is a dedicated Bristol Playing Out Facebook group, which is a lovely community of street organisers and supporters where you can share stories and ask questions.

Get started!

Here are some useful links from our website to help you with the process.

1. 4 simple steps videos – takes you through the steps you need to take up to and including the play street.
2. Useful Stuff – This is where you can find the manual, useful letters you can use and posters etc.
3. Bristol City Council Application – This is the application on the council website; when you are ready to apply just distribute copies of the letter from the council page to your neighbours, and apply online. Once you have sent the application form in it takes up to 8 weeks for the council to approve it.

The application in Bristol lasts for 12 months, so you can enjoy a year of Playing Out before having to do the admin again!

Read about how Samira and Ellie set up their Play Streets in Bristol, and how regular playing out sessions transformed the culture of Jo’s street.