The licence fee regime will be different from other parks elsewhere in Bristol
The Downs are a popular spot for exercising(Image: Francis Hawkins/SWNS)
Potential licence fees for personal trainers have been revealed in a planned clamp down on exercise classes on the Downs. Personal trainers holding bootcamp sessions could be charged £900 a year for groups up to 20 people, and £2,600 a year for groups of 20 people or more.
Two years ago the Downs Advisory Panel suggested that personal trainers should have to pay for a licence to hold exercise classes on the large parkland in north Bristol. This came after concerns about the size of some of the classes, as well as loud music played.
Now the Downs committee, made up of councillors and Merchant Venturers, will consider plans to roll out these licences. The committee will meet on Monday, November 17, to discuss the potential fees set out in a business development report.
The report said: “The Downs licence will operate with the fitness licence with two rates; this will be based on the group sizes of the trainers. The first licence fee rate will cover personal trainers and small group training of up to 20 people and the second licence fee rate for the larger groups and bootcamps consisting of 20 or more people.
“The first licence will cost £900 per year and will be for trainers of people and groups of up to 20 people. The second licence will charge £2,600 per year for those operating groups of 20 or more people.”
These fees would just affect exercise classes on the Downs, rather than professional dog walkers or other businesses. Separately, Bristol City Council is planning to roll out similar licences for businesses using other parks. The fees for these would be different, and are due to be revealed early next year — but without a public consultation despite recent controversy.
The report added: “The Downs committee has decided that it will implement a fitness-only licence that will charge fitness trainers, bootcamps and group trainers. So, for example, it will not cover professional dog walkers or walking groups.”
As well as the fees, exercise classes would only be permitted in seven zones across the Downs and next to Observatory Road. These zones are intended to minimise disruption to maintenance, ecology and other users of the Downs. If the licences are approved by the committee, it’s not yet clear when the fees would start being charged.