Parks and open spaces fees

From the section: Organising events in Solihull

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 £33.50 plus VAT.

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

If you apply after the application deadline, you will also need to pay a late booking fee of £67 plus VAT.

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

When to apply

Event ClassificationApplication deadlineLate booking fee
Small event12 weeks8 weeks
Major event24 weeks16 weeks
Administration fee 2024/25£33.50 plus VAT£67 plus VAT
Administration fee 2026/27£35 plus VAT£70.50 plus 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.

Taking payment

Your booking fee will be added to your invoice for the event. 

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.

Your bond will be returned if no damage is caused.

Commercial Event Damage Bonds2026/27
Up to 2,000 person capacity per event£525
Over 2,000 and up to 4,000 person capacity per event£1,050
Over 4,000 and up to 6,000 person capacity per event£2,100
Over 6,000 and up to 8,000 person capacity per event£2,625
Over 8,000 person capacity per event£4,200

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 events2026/272027/28
Up to 2,000 person capacity per dayPer trading per day£514£540
Up to 2,000 person capacity per dayPer non-trading day£145£152
Over 2,000 and up to 4,000 person capacityPer trading day£2,350£2,465
Over 2,000 and up to 4,000 person capacityPer non-trading day£405£425
Over 4,000 and up to 6,000 person capacityPer trading day£3,480£3,655
Over 4,000 and up to 6,000 person capacityPer non-trading day£600£630
Over 6,000 and up to 8,000 person capacityPer trading day£5,320 
Over 6,000 and up to 8,000 person capacityPer non-trading day£915
Over 8,000 person capacity per dayPer trading day£7,985
Over 8,000 person capacity per dayPer non-trading day£1,370

Fairground rides

Fairground rides2026/272027/28
Daily rate per ride£82£86

Charity events

Charity Events (Registered Charities & Not for Profit Organisations only)2026/272027/28
Large sized events run by national charities/community organisations, over 2,000 capacityCharge per day£645£675
Large sized events run by national charities/community organisations, over 2,000 capacityCharge per non-trading day£202£212
Small scale events/community groups up to 2,000 capacityCharge per day£28.50£30
Events organised by Friends of Parks GroupsCharge per dayFree
Charity contribution to works on park after eventCharge based on quote

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

Outdoor classroom or learning sessions2026/272027/28
Charge per half day£75£79.50

Park inspection charge

Park inspection charge2026/272027/28
If any pre or post event site inspections are requiredCharge per hour£66.50£70

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.