Stirling residents will get a second chance to experience the city centre in a unique way with the postponed Open Streets Festival rescheduled for Saturday 22 October.
Open Streets was one of many events across the country postponed following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II in September. The rearranged festival, hosted by Stirling Council and Go Forth Stirling will now take place on 22 October.
Unique, pedestrian focused environment
The festival will offer a unique, pedestrian-focused, environment for residents and visitors who can experience the busy city centre streets and enjoy its shops, cafes and attractions with reduced traffic congestion and environmental impact.
Throughout the festival, which can be accessed by walking, cycling or public transport, there will be music and arts performances, family activities and opportunities for businesses to encourage footfall into their premises through the increased space afforded by the festival.
This is scheduled to be the first in a programme of Open Street Days in Stirling city centre over the coming years, with the inaugural festival part of events scheduled to mark Stirling’s 20th year as a city.
'Experience the city in a completely different way'
Stirling Council Leader, Councillor Chris Kane said: “I’m delighted that the Open Streets Festival has been able to be rescheduled so quickly after its earlier postponement. There has been a lot of enthusiasm shown for the event and I’m sure that it will showcase Stirling as an accessible, sustainable and people-friendly city.
“By closing down some of the city centre’s busiest streets to traffic to make it easier for visitors to walk and wheel through the town centre and access local shops, we’re offering residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the city in a completely different way.
“This is another key step towards our long term goal of creating a city centre which strikes a balance between traditional travel by car and active travel. Alongside Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling, this street festival will help deliver n boost in city centre footfall, accessible recreation space and levels of active travel, leading to healthier and more active communities.”
'Opportunity for local businesses'
Project Director at Go Forth Stirling, Danielle McRorie-Smith said: “The Open Streets programme offers a great opportunity for our excellent businesses to showcase all that they have to offer and what is best about their neighbourhoods.
“One of the defining features of Open Streets is that they do not feature out-of-area vending, which is often a feature of other outdoor events, so this is a great opportunity for local businesses to be innovative and attract new customers by engaging with the wide variety of events on offer. “Free activities will run from 10am-4pm and will include:
- Come and try health and fitness demonstrations;
- Live music;
- Farmers Market;
- Arts and Cultural activity;
- Street performers/poetry reading/face painting
The following streets will be closed during the festival: Murray Place, Station Road, Friars Street, King Street and Port Street. Parking bays in Port Street will also be suspended.
Parking restrictions will be in place from 7pm on the 21st of October till 7pm on the 22nd of October. Roads will be closed from 5am till 7pm on the 22nd.
A free park and ride service will be in operation from Springkerse and Castleview.