Have your say on Busking in Westminster

As you may know, Westminster City Council has been working closely with residents, businesses and street entertainers to design a new busking and street entertainment policy.

In January this year, we consulted on proposals to introduce regulation in key busking hotspots in the West End. Thank you to those who took the time to respond to our consultation. In response to our proposals, many residents and workers expressed concern about the effects of displacement to locations outside the licensed areas. To take account of this feedback, we are now proposing to extend the licensing scheme across the West End and surrounding areas.

We have today launched a consultation on these updated plans, and would like as many people as possible to let us know what they think.

Our proposals aim to take a fair and balanced approach to support busking and street entertainment in central London while protecting residents and businesses from the impact of excessive noise and overcrowding that can be caused by performances.

You can find more information on our proposals – including areas proposed for licensing and suggested pitch locations – in the policy document.

The consultation will run until 1 November. Please have your say, and encourage others to have theirs, to help make sure we are striking the right balance.

You can also come along to a virtual Q&A session to discuss any questions you may have:

Tuesday 6 October, 6pm. Sign up here
Monday 20 October, 3pm. Sign up here

Yours sincerely,
The Busking and Street Entertainment Team

Read more and have your say at westminster.gov.uk/busking