Buskers protest against possible street music ban

Buskers have gathered in London's Leicester Square to mark what could be the last day of being allowed to perform on the street.

A judge served Westminster City Council with a noise abatement notice categorising music played by buskers in Leicester Square as a statutory nuisance and akin to "psychological torture".

The suspension is due to come into force on Thursday - a measure which the Musicians' Union said unfairly penalised those trying to comply with an already highly restrictive busking licensing scheme.

Union members urged the council to appeal the decision. The council said it would announce its decision on whether to appeal the judgement on Thursday.

One union member - and representative of the Westminster Street Performers Association (WSPA) - said he empathised with people subject to unreasonable noise, but insisted street performers "bring entertainment, reduce crime rates and bring more tourism and business to areas of the city".

London Regional Officer for the Musicians' Union, Simeon Scheuber-Rush, said musicians were "dedicated to their craft" and had "no desire to be considered a nuisance".

He said he and the unions members wanted to work "collaboratively and cordially" with the council to address any issues as they arose.

The planned suspension applies to all licensed and unlicensed buskers and street entertainers in Leicester Square.

Anyone who flouts the new rules may face enforcement - a fine, equipment being seized or their licence being taken off them.

Labour councillor Matt Noble said street performers were not being banned across Westminster.

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