The Big Lunch returns on June 7 and 8 – the annual event for neighbours and communities to come together for friendship, food, fun and celebrating where you live.

The deadline to apply to Croydon Council to hold a Big Lunch event in your local park or on your street is Friday May 9.

More details can be found on the council website.

“We want to help local communities so that everyone can enjoy celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day and also the Big Lunch by hosting a street or park event,” the council says.

The council website suggests it is still accepting applications even for the next bank holiday weekend, when celebrations of the 80th anniversary of VE Day – Victory in Europe Day – are taking place around the country.

The council suggests the following dates:
VE Day: Saturday May 3, Sunday May 4 or Bank Holiday Monday May 5
Big Lunch: Saturday 7 June or Sunday 8 June

The council requires certain information if the planned event:

• requires a road closure
• is in one of the borough’s parks or open spaces

The council says: “Each application to hold a street party will be considered on its own merit.”

Several things will be considered as part of the application process:

• The street cannot be part of the main road network or have a bus route operating on it
• Will there be high traffic or pedestrian disruption
• Any objections received about the proposed event
• Will a diversion traffic route be required?
• Will there be any street maintenance works or other street parties already planned?
• The ability to maintain an access route for emergency service vehicles?
• The street event may take place between the hours of 9am and 11pm

The council’s non-AI web page, including application form for staging Big Lunch events and futher information and advice, can be found by clicking here

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