Parks and open spaces fees

From the section: Organising events in Solihull

In this section:

Parks and open spaces fees

This page details what you need to pay and when you need to pay it if you are planning to hold an event in our parks.

Administration fee

All applications must pay a non-refundable administration fee of £27 plus VAT.

You must pay the administration fee within 5 working days of submitting your application.

If you apply after the application deadline, you will also need to pay a late booking fee of £58 plus VAT.

This new fee will cover the cost incurred for checking, validating, and processing applications and associated paperwork.

When to apply

Event Classification Application deadline Late booking fee
Small event 12 weeks 8 weeks
Major event 24 weeks 16 weeks
Administration fee 2024/25 £27 + VAT £53 + VAT
Administration fee 2026/27 £27 + VAT £53 + VAT

If your event is approved

Once your application is approved in principle, you will be provided with the statement of hire that will confirm the:

  • hire period
  • relevant damage bond, that will be applied unless the event is exempt
  • hire fees, that will be applied unless the event is exempt

You must confirm by email to events@solihull.gov.uk that you wish to proceed with your booking within five working days or applications will not proceed any further and no dates will be held.

The Core Box Office will call to take your payment within their opening hours. These are currently 9:30am to 2:30pm, Monday to Saturday. The number calling to make payment will be from a withheld number. Please be aware the number calling to make payment will be from a withheld number.

For more information or if you have any queries, please contact events@solihull.gov.uk.

Commercial events

Damage bond

We have introduced damage bonds to cover any reparation work. This might include our time for the assessment and costing works, associated administration, reinstating, repairing, replacing, or cleansing of the site.

To ensure damage bonds are fair and reasonable they have been calculated on event capacity.

If no damage has been caused, the damage bond will be returned.

Commercial Event Damage Bonds 2025/26 Cost
Up to 2,000 person capacity per event £500
Over 2,000 and up to 4,000 person capacity per event £1,000
Over 4,000 and up to 6,000 person capacity per event £2,000
Over 6,000 and up to 8,000 person capacity per event £2,500
Over 8,000 person capacity per event £4,000

Paying your bond

Damage bonds will be payable no later than 21 days after the date of your invoice. Invoices will be issued within 5 working days of an application for an event being approved.

Exemptions

Damage bonds will be applicable to all commercial events based on the above schedule. Damage incurred from charity or community events will be handled on a case-by-case basis and may be invoiced for any reparation.

Hire fees

Commercial events 2025/26 2026/27
Up to 2,000 person capacity per day Per trading per day £490 £514
Up to 2,000 person capacity per day Per non-trading day £138 £145
Over 2,000 and up to 4,000 person capacity Per trading day £2,240 £2,350
Over 2,000 and up to 4,000 person capacity Per non-trading day £386 £405
Over 4,000 and up to 6,000 person capacity Per trading day £3,315 £3,480
Over 4,000 and up to 6,000 person capacity Per non-trading day £570 £600
Over 6,000 and up to 8,000 person capacity Per trading day £4,970 £5,320
Over 6,000 and up to 8,000 person capacity Per non-trading day £855 £915
Over 8,000 person capacity per day Per trading day £7,460 £7,985
Over 8,000 person capacity per day Per non-trading day £1,280 £1,370

Fairground rides

Fairground rides 2025/26 2026/27
Daily rate per ride £78 £82

Charity events

Charity Events (Registered Charities & Not for Profit Organisations only) 2025/26
 Charge		 2026/27
 Charge
Large sized events run by national charities/community organisations, over 2,000 capacity Charge per day £615 £645
Large sized events run by national charities/community organisations, over 2,000 capacity Charge per non-trading day £192 £202
Small scale events/community groups up to 2,000 capacity Charge per day £27 £28.50
Events organised by Friends of Parks Groups Charge per day Free Free
Charity contribution to works on park after event Charge based on quote

Outdoor classroom sessions/learning i.e. nature or foraging per half day

Outdoor classroom or learning sessions 2025/26
 Charge		 2026/27
 Charge
Charge per half day £60 £65

Park inspection charge

Park inspection charge 2025/26
 Charge		 2026/27
 Charge

If any pre or post event site inspections are required

 Charge per hour £36.50 £66.50

Hire fees

Hire fees will be payable no later than 21 days from date of your invoice.

Fees and charges for hiring the Council’s parks or open spaces are reviewed and set annually.