Queen Square is managed by City Centre Spaces Management, Cultural and Leisure Services, Bristol City Council. This team coordinates all aspects of management and maintenance and facilitates and monitors the event programme.
The Queen Square Management Plan 2007-2017 is now published and it identifies the key issues affecting the square; sets out a ‘vision’ for future management with aims and objectives; establishes an action plan and process for ongoing consultation and performance monitoring. The plan will be key to the effective management and future development of the square and will be reviewed and updated annually by Council Officers and the Queen Square Association. If you would like to know more about this, get involved in the review or simply make any comments please contact the City Centre Spaces Manager, jerry.baker@bristol.gov.uk
The management plan and results of recent public consultation may be viewed by appointment at Metcalfes Solicitors, 46-48 Queen Square, or at Queen Square Dining Rooms. The plan can also be viewed and downloaded here with its Appendices or at www.bristol.gov.uk/queensquare.
Queen Square News Issue 1 is also available online and summarises the process and findings of the management plan and is a good source of views, news and general information. Queen Square News Issue 2 will be available from April 2008 and articles for submission are welcome.
Queen Square features prominently on the City in Bloom judging route and our work has contributed to three Gold standards being awarded from 2005 to 2007. The successful regeneration and enhancement of Queen Square features as an exemplar scheme on the Commission for Architecture and Built Environment website and has won two national awards – the Royal Town Planning Institute planning award for the Built Heritage (RTPI National Award 2003), 2003 and the National Civic Trust Award, 2004. We now hope to build on this success by applying for a Green Flag award in 2008 (www.greenflagaward.org.uk). This scheme is managed by The Civic Trust (www.civictrust.org.uk), a national charity which aims to inspire and promote improvements in the quality urban life for everyone.
The Safer Parks project has worked to take an evidence based approach to dealing with crime and ASB. In order for us to measure problems and improvements more accurately, some changes have been made. The police computer system did not register parks and green spaces as they do not have a post code. This meant that all calls made to 999 and non emergency numbers were not recorded in parks - leaving big information black holes. The system has now been updated to identify all parks and green spaces across the city, enabling more accurate reporting and subsequent deployment of police resources.
By encouraging increased surveillance and reporting of incidents, as well as more active use of the parks and green spaces, it is hoped local people themselves will help maintain standards. If you witness anti social behaviour in Queen Square please report it to either the 'It's Your Call' action line on 0845 605 2222 or the non-emergency police line on 0845 456 7000. Whilst a police response will not always be possible, these calls will help us build up a picture of hot spots and issues in the area and are extremely valuable in helping us reduce antisocial behaviour.
If you are aware of issues of vandalism, or have concerns generally about safety in the square, please call the parks public enquiries line on 0117 922 3719, Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5pm Monday to friday (4.30pm Friday).