‘Nuisance’ buskers banned from playing at one of London’s most iconic tourist spots

Buskers have been banned from playing in a major London tourist spot after the council were taken to court over ‘nuisance performers’.

Westminster City Council has suspended two busking performance pitches in Leicester Square after a judge ruled the noise levels amounted to a ‘nuisance’.

Global, which has an office space nearby, accused the council of failing to enforce the rules set out – leaving them relying on noise cancelling headphones.

The judge agreed, and ordered the council to ‘abate the statutory nuisance consisting of noise from the playing of music by buskers’.

Councillor Matt Noble said: ‘Street performers are a much-loved part of our city’s identity, but we also have to balance this with a duty to protect residents and businesses.

‘The court ruling gives us no choice—we now have a legal obligation to act.

‘This is categorically not a ban on street performers in Westminster.

‘Our next step is to comply with the ruling by suspending street performance pitches in Leicester Square, consider the court ruling and find a fair solution.’

But the court heard how set lists are repeatedly played on a loop at a higher than necessary volume.

Simon Thomas, owner of the area’s iconic Hippodrome Casino, gave evidence at the hearing, saying the consistent thumping from amplifiers makes it impossible to get any work done in his office space.

He told Metro: ‘Hosting meetings while Sweet Caroline is playing at ridiculously loud volumes is ridiculous.’

However, buskers said the closure of the Leicester Square pitches is ‘unfair’ on those performers who follow regulations and volume limits.

Will Cork, a representative for the Westminster Street Performers Association and a busker himself, told Metro: ‘We feel like we are being punished because of certain failures in the system.’  

He said the ban ‘lumps together’ illegal buskers and those ‘who try hard to regulate volume and be respectful.’  

‘The ban unfairly groups all buskers together as a nuisance,’ he said.  

The closure of the two pitches will leave buskers in Westminster with ‘one workable pitch at Trafalgar Square’ where everyone ‘is going to be rushing there,’ he said.  

He warned that the Leicester Square ban could affect the UK music industry and the talent ever being discovered.  

‘Lots of performers have used busking to become big in the music industry. Busking has led to other opportunities.’  

Buskers’ incomes will also be affected as some performers rely on it as their income.  

He said buskers have a positive impact on Leicester Square atmosphere, bringing ‘joy to people.’  

‘The actual nuisance buskers should be targeted more. We have been working really hard to regulate everyone’s volumes,’ Will explained.  

‘I believe this is a temporary solution and the council is looking for other solutions,’ he added.  

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