'It would cost me £20k' Park licences on hold after backlash

Fitness instructors would face charges to hold classes in city parks under the plans

- Tristan CORK

COUNCIL bosses have paused plans to charge businesses for the privilege of using the city’s parks for dog walking and fitness classes.

One woman who runs a dog walking and doggy day care in north Bristol said she would face a bill of more than £20,000 a year, and calls for the council to rethink the idea are growing.

A number of separate petitions and campaigns have been started as the different groups and businesses affected by the proposals have been assessing the impact.

Almost 3,500 people have already signed a petition set up by professional dog walker Sophie Hunter on the Change.org petition website, while a separate petition related to fitness training classes has also been gaining signatures.

Bristol City Council announced last week it was proposing to bring a complex system of licences and fees for people whose businesses use any of the city council-owned parks and green spaces. That could be anything from boot camps and fitness classes to yoga and walking groups, as well as professional dog walkers who take the dogs in their care for walks in the city’s parks.