GBC Seeks Views on Guildford Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order

Published on: 19 Feb, 2025
Updated on: 21 Feb, 2025

The draft Guildford Public Spaces Protection Order map (click on image to enlarge)

Guildford Borough Council is seeking views on potential changes to the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Guildford town centre.

Proposals include:

extending the Guildford Town Centre PSPO for another three years
amending the prohibited behaviours to be included in the revised PSPO
a proposal to extend the geographic area that the PSPO covers

PSPOs are used to help tackle anti-social behaviour locally, so that public spaces can be enjoyed by everyone. The current Town Centre PSPO has been in place since April 2022. The proposed PSPO, including the proposed boundary map, is available on the council’s website.

As well as restricting alcohol in public spaces, the council is proposing to remove reference to legal highs and add extra restrictions to rowdy and inconsiderate behaviours. This includes behaving or encouraging others to behave in an anti-social way, which is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others.

The PSPO would include Black Cat Alley off the bottom of the Farnham Road, where there have been reports of anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Merel Rehorst-Smith

Lead councillor for Regulatory and Democratic Services, Merel Rehorst-Smith said: “We want residents and visitors to Guildford to feel safe to enjoy our beautiful town.

“We’re asking people to let us know how successful they believe the current Public Spaces Protection Order has been in reducing anti-social behaviour in the town.

“I encourage people to give us their feedback. By listening to our residents, businesses and visitors, we will be able to decide if changes to our current PSPO are needed.”

People can respond to the PSPO consultation by completing the online survey.

The survey closes at midnight on Tuesday, February 25 2025.

The views collected will help the council decide the future of the Guildford Town Centre PSPO. Council officers expect a recommendation to be considered by the Executive in March 2025. The results of the consultation, and the decisions taken on the PSPO, will then be published on the council’s website.