Goose Fair parking fines doubled last year

Visitors to this year's Goose Fair in Nottingham are being urged to check restrictions before travelling after figures revealed the number of parking fines doubled last year.

The historic fair on the Forest Recreation Ground began on Friday, and visitors are not allowed to park on nearby residential streets.

A BBC freedom of information (FOI) request to Nottingham City Council revealed nearly 900 fines were issued to drivers who flouted parking rules there in 2025, compared to about 450 in each of the three previous years.

The authority said the rise in fines was because it had trained more staff to enforce parking restrictions during the event.

The fair, which dates back more than 700 years, will run until 4 October.

The FOI revealed 877 fines were issued for the Goose Fair site and the roads surrounding it in 2025.

As of 12 November 2025, this had brought in £20,370 for the council.

Meanwhile, in 2024, 447 fines were handed out. In 2023, it was 469, and in 2022, 463.

A spokesperson for the city council said the increase in fines in 2025 "reflects a change in the event's operating model".

They did not clarify what that change was, when asked.

But they said: "To support the safe operation of Goose Fair and ensure temporary parking restrictions are observed, additional staff have been trained to undertake parking enforcement duties throughout the event.

"This has increased our capacity to enforce restrictions that are put in place to manage traffic, maintain access for emergency services, and minimise disruption to local residents.

"We recognise the impact that Goose Fair can have on nearby communities and have continued to review our arrangements based on feedback from previous years."

On the city council's website, which has a full list of restricted roads, it said the parking restrictions in the surrounding areas would be "strictly enforced" this year, with more patrols.

Blue badge holders can park at Forest Recreation Ground, where the event is held, but no other visitors can park on the site.

The authority urged people to plan ahead and travel to the fair on public transport wherever possible – although trams will not run for some of the fair's two weekends because of strikes.

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