People across the borough wanting to bring their local community together to mark the coronation of King Charles III in May are being given a helping hand by Hackney Council.

The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Queen Consort, will take place on Saturday 6 May, with events being planned nationally and across the borough to mark the momentous occasion.

As well as supporting those looking to organise street parties over the special Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the historic event, the Council is also providing grants of up to £750 through its Housing Services as part of the national Big Coronation Lunch initiative. 

The Big Lunch is designed to bring local communities together to share friendship, food and fun. Last year it centred around marking the Queen's Jubilee and this year it is being timed to help celebrate the coronation.

People have until 3 April 2023 to apply for the funding from the Council.

Residents can apply to the Council to organise a non-commercial street party which temporarily closes a street to traffic and brings neighbours together to get to know each other better and celebrate Hackney’s cultural diversity. 

Applications for street closures should be made at least four weeks before the planned event.

The Coronation Big Lunch

To be eligible for funding, applications must be made from a home managed by Hackney Council and events must be inclusive, accessible and benefit all local residents. In previous years, groups have organised themed events including face painting and international dishes that residents have produced and provided on the day. 

Groups also need to have appropriate safeguarding procedures in place and carry out a risk assessment for the event or activity.

Details of how to apply and information on the range of other funding available through the Council to help communities come together can be found here

How to arrange a Big Lunch

You can request a Coronation Big Lunch pack from the Big Lunch website

Street parties and street closures 

There are a few criteria that street parties need to follow including that

• fewer than 200 guests invited;
• all guests must be associated with the immediate area;
• no alcohol will be on sale (it is okay to serve alcohol free of charge);
• no formal entertainment (entertainment such as music from a stereo is okay as long as you do not disturb others in the community);
• no tickets are sold for the event;
• no food or other merchandise will be on sale (but it is fine to bring food to share with your neighbours);
• no temporary structures (e.g. stages or marquees) are set up.

There is usually no problem in obtaining  permission to close quiet residential streets, but the Council is likely to refuse permission to close major routes (classed A and B roads), bus routes, or one-way streets where it thinks doing so will cause too much disruption to  surrounding traffic or impede emergency vehicles.

Applications for street closures for the Big Lunch events should be sent to  suresh.prajapati@hackney.gov.uk For more information and to apply for a street party and arrange a street closure see here

If you live on an estate

The Council’s Housing Services Resident Participation Team can support groups in the planning of activities and identifying suppliers for their Big Lunch events. They can be contacted on 020 8356 7845 or by emailing get.involved@hackney.gov.uk