City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO): Proposed Renewal and Changes

What we are doing

Coventry City Council is asking for people’s views on whether the City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) should continue for another three years, until 21 November 2029.

What the current order does

The current order helps manage behaviour in the city centre. It covers things like street begging, unlicensed street trading, handing out leaflets without permission, unauthorised charity collections, and busking or street performances that do not follow the city centre rules. It also restricts cycling, e-bikes and e-scooters in the protected area, and allows officers to ask people to get off bikes, skateboards or scooters.

What changes are proposed

We are proposing to update some of the existing rules so they are clearer and easier to enforce. The main change is to focus on behaviour that is aggressive, intimidating or causes nuisance, rather than simply someone being present in the city centre.

What this means in practice

• The rules on begging, charity collections and handing out materials would be updated to deal with aggressive or pressurising behaviour, such as following people, blocking their path, or continuing to ask for money after being told no.
• People who are quietly sitting or standing and passively asking for help, without causing harassment or intimidation, would not be covered by this proposed change.
• A new rule would restrict the use of loudspeakers, microphones, megaphones and other amplification equipment unless written permission has been given by the Council.
• A new rule would restrict temporary structures such as gazebos, stalls, canopies and display stands unless they have been authorised by the Council.

Why we are consulting

We want to know whether people think the order should continue and whether these proposed changes are the right ones for the city centre.

The deadline for responses is 26 July.