While buskers may not be able to perform in two pitches at Leicester Square, there are plenty on the TFL network.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00The suspension of two busking performance pitches in London's Leicester Square has come into force after a court ruling.
00:11Westminster City Council's ban is until further notice and applies to all licensed and unlicensed buskers and street entertainers in the area.
00:21It follows a case between Global Radio and the council where a judge ordered the local authority to stop the nuisance caused by buskers.
00:32Anyone who flouts the new rules may face enforcement that includes a fine, equipment being seized or their license being taken off them, a Westminster City Council spokesman has confirmed.
00:45Now, the action follows an abatement order that was issued against the council by the City of London Magistrates Court on the 26th of March.
00:56It is understood that Westminster City Council will explore its grounds of an appeal and revisions to its busking and street entertainment licensing regime.
01:06Earlier this month, Matt Noble, a Labour councillor for Westminster City Council, said that although street performers were much loved, the authority had a legal obligation to act.
01:19Mr Noble added that street performers were not being banned across the whole of Westminster, though.
01:26Now, Leicester Square has always been an iconic place for buskers in the capital,
01:31but with councils now seemingly deeming them to be a nuisance, Transport for London has been celebrating 25 years out of the company by encouraging local buskers to sing in stations.
01:44Yeah, I mean, as you say, the Tube is such an integral part of London and city life.
01:51And I love that you get to see a variety of people, whether it's kind of business folk or, you know, you get to see great mixed tourists as well.
01:57And the nice thing about busking in London, too, is like when there's an event on or when there's a protest on or whatever the vibe is in the city,
02:06you kind of get a little bit of that as well, like when you're busking.
02:10I'm Angie A. I'm a busker. I tend to do Bond Street, which is a new one.
02:16I've started to do the West End. Waterloo as well.
02:21And the staff are really cool. I feel I've sort of embedded myself in it now.
02:25You know, they know me and it's such a lovely experience.
02:30You meet so many different people.
02:33I don't tend to do the same songs all the time in a whole set.
02:37Do you know what I mean? I think it's really important for two reasons.
02:40I think one of the first reasons is for the musicians themselves.
02:43You know, like we went through lockdown when there was nothing.
02:46I actually this was closed, but I actually went out on the road as well.
02:51It's very quiet. But there's a few people about.
02:53But your mental health is really good for musicians, I would say.