Confusion surrounded event set for this weekend – but police and council have now issued statements
13:51, 03 Sep 2025Updated 13:56, 03 Sep 2025
A children play area in Queen’s Park – next to Queen’s Park Road where the naked walk is said to be starting (Image: Google )
A naked walk is set to go-ahead in Birmingham this weekend after police said officers had no power to stop it.
West Midlands Police and the city council said officials were aware of the planned naturist event, said to be starting on Harborne’s Queen’s Park Road, near a kids’ play area in Queen’s Park, on Saturday, September 6.
The council today moved to clarify that it had not endorsed the gathering following concerns expressed by a councillor who said she was reflecting community concerns.
READ MORE: Mystery surrounds ‘Birmingham naked walk event’ as councillor says ‘I hope this is a joke’
The walk, said to be starting at 11.30am, is being organised by the ‘West Midlands Naturist Association’.
The group shared details of the event on its X page and previously told BirminghamLive it had been given approval by the council – which the authority has now denied.
The group also shared posters of the event online with a logo saying it was ‘council approved’. Coun Sam Forsyth last night said she hoped it was a “joke”, a “hoax” or a “very early April Fool’s”.
She said: “It’s causing quite a big concern. I walk my dog there.”
A petition to ‘keep Birmingham streets family-friendly’ has been set up in response to the event taking place. It has under ten signatures so far.
City environment boss Coun Majid Mahmood today confirmed the council had nothing to do with the gathering other than being aware it was happening.
He said: “While we are aware of the walk, and have liaised with West Midlands Police about it, the council has not approved or endorsed the gathering. We have advised organisers that this is not an ‘event’ with council-backing and they have now agreed to remove our logo from any material.”
West Midlands Police said it had been made aware of the event but had no powers to either deny or grant permission. A force spokesperson told BirminghamLive: “Events of this type do not require police approval and police have no powers to either deny or grant permission.”
West Midlands Naturist Association told us by email yesterday the event had been “fully approved by the council”.
It said: “The walk is taking place to raise awareness about naturism and to promote body positivity. It’s the most rewarding gift we can give to ourselves.
“Basically, we are all born a naturist and along the way the social conditions begin to affect our lives. Naturism is rediscovering yourself and connecting to nature.
“We are part of nature just the birds and the trees. We need to take care of each other and thrive. Public nudity is legal in UK and it’s only illegal if it’s intended to cause harm to others.
“Naturism is simply living without artificial additives such as clothes. The only thing offensive about nudity are the uneducated who oppose the most natural human state as something obscene.
“Through the years insecurities and mixed media as well as fashion didn’t help. It’s time we reclaim who we are.”