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Views sought on tougher street performer rules

Getty Images Silver painted living statue street performer sits totally still as if floating in mid air, and delighting passers by and tourists in Covent Garden, LondonGetty Images
Street performers face the prospect of strict enforcement of new licensing rules

New rules to restrict street performers in central London will go to a public consultation, a council has said.

Westminster Council is considering tougher restrictions after receiving an increased number of complaints about sites in London's West End.

A body representing street performers in Covent Garden said the new licensing regime will mean none of its performers "will legally be allowed to perform".

The council said it wanted to "strike a balance" between maintaining performances and addressing noise complaints.

The scheme was first introduced in 2021.

Members of the council's licensing committee have three options which they have not yet decided on:

  • to discontinue the scheme
  • vary the scope of the scheme (limit it to fewer parts of London)
  • continue with the current scheme and prioritise resources (enlist more staff and the help of the police) to enforce it.

The scheme has so far been boycotted by members of the Covent Garden Street Performers Association (CGSPA).

On Monday the council's licensing committee agreed to consult with the public and stakeholders before deciding on the future of the policy.

The group has previously suggested licence terms limit the amount of space performers can use and will mean acts such as juggling and acrobatics will become impossible.

The group also believes a ban on sound amplification would eliminate magicians, while outlawing dangerous props would mean acts involving fire or knife-juggling, bullwhips and beds of nails will not be possible.

Getty Images Female busker performs in Covent Garden.Getty Images
The tough rules include banning sound amplification equipment

Information on when the consultation will start and end has yet to be released.

Deputy council leader Aicha Less said: "The busking and street entertainment policy was introduced two years ago to preserve the tradition of live street entertainment in Westminster, which is hugely popular with visitors to the city, and to ensure busking and street entertainment operates in a safe and responsible way.

"We want to strike a balance between supporting performers and addressing the issues of excessive noise, overcrowding, and inappropriate locations."

She reiterated her stance that the council has never sought to ban street performances in the borough.

A spokesperson for the CGSPA said the Monday evening's meeting was "nominally positive" as no final decision was made but described the council's approach as "woefully disappointing".

"We had of course hoped that Westminster Council might make moves to exclude Covent Garden from the licence as we have been campaigning for, but the fact that they appear to, in essence, be kicking the issue down the road, is at least a temporary win for us. We live to fight another day," the spokesperson added.

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