The Bristol Downs are a much-loved public space, enjoyed by walkers, runners, families, and community fitness groups. Responsible self-employed instructors run outdoor exercise sessions here that support health, wellbeing, and community — always respectfully and leaving no trace.

These sessions play an important role in Bristol’s health: helping people stay active, preventing illness, supporting mental wellbeing, and creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to exercise affordably in the fresh air. With the NHS under strain from rising levels of diabetes, obesity, and poor mental health, we should be encouraging outdoor activity — not putting barriers in the way.

A new licensing policy, introduced without consultation, now requires every instructor — even those only covering occasional illness or leave — to pay the same full licence fee as a permanent operator. This is unfair and places an unreasonable burden on small, independent instructors.

The result? Many instructors will struggle to keep running affordable, accessible sessions, and Bristol residents will lose out on valuable opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing. This contradicts the city’s own goals of promoting active lifestyles.

We call on the Downs Committee and Bristol City Council to:

Consult with instructors before introducing major policy changes.
Introduce a fairer licence system — e.g. a business-based licence or reduced fee for cover instructors.
Apply enforcement and management consistently across all Downs users, so responsible community activities are supported rather than punished.
 

The Downs should remain a place that promotes health, fairness, and community. Please support this petition to ensure self-employed instructors can continue their valuable work — helping Bristolians stay active, healthy, and connected.

Who we’re addressing:

Bristol Downs Committee
Bristol City Council
Local councillors for Clifton, Redland, Hotwells & Harbourside
Local MPs