Buskers and Street Performers

[DulwichFox]

High court upholds Camden busking restrictions

Judge says policy introducing fines of up to ?1,000 for busking without a licence is 'necessary and proportionate'

New licensing restrictions on buskers in Camden have been declared lawful by the high court.

Comedians Mark Thomas and Bill Bailey and musician Billy Bragg are among celebrities who took to the streets to protest over the restrictions being introduced by the council in the north London borough after noise complaints by local residents.

Busking without a licence is to become a criminal offence in Camden, punishable with fines of up to ?1,000.

Bragg, who spent his early career busking around London, said licensing would hurt a fundamental aspect of UK culture.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/11/high-court-upholds-camden-busking-restrictions

Busking has been around since 1860 ish

New laws impose restrictions on certain instruments. The Melodeon (Used by Morris Dancers)

is to be classed as a 'Wind' instrument and faces strict restrictions.

Having been a Street Performer myself I understand there needs to be some restrictions on certain areas.

IE Covent Garden, New Bond Street, St Christopher's Place , all regular spots of Blackheath Morris Men

when I danced with them.

But a general clamp down on Buskers and possibly other Street Performers is just not on.

Buskers are an essential part of London. They attract tourists. They cheer people up.

Anyone have any views on the subject.

DulwichFox

[PokerTime]

I agree Fox. It's just another aspect of not being able to do anything in this country without paying someone off for a licence. Next we'll be needing a licence to speak at Speaker's Corner!

[StraferJack]

I'm with foxy on this one.

[Robert Poste's Child]

I can see there's a need to be able to control public nuisance but this doesn't seem like the right solution. Couldn't the police just move them on?

[Jeremy]

Anything which cheers up Foxy has to be a good thing!

[New Girl]

And yet......

http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2014/04/09/gizza-tune-boris-the-mayors-backing-busking-for-2014/

[Saturn 5]

Well,well, well.

[Henry3]

So the high court in Camden would much prefer that people beg on the street for money? This is total lunacy!

[charlesfare]

Is it not as simple as getting a liscense and being fined if you don't have one? I don't see the problem personally.

[uncleglen]

I frequently meet people at Camden Tube where the buskers hang out. Some of them are without talent and very loud and intrusive. I think they should be auditioned and given time slots with a licence personally.

[KidKruger]

No you can't filter it like that.