Q2A

Got a question about busking........

Is busking illegal and if not what are the rules about it?

This is our reply.......

Hi Busker boi, thank you for contacting q2a with your enquiry.

Busking is 'street entertainment' so anything goes: singing, comedy, magic, juggling
skills, fire-eating, and even sword-swallowing.There have been many buskers who have
later gone on to become famous artists such as Bob Dylan, River Phoenix (1970 -1993),
the band Manic Street Preachers and George Sampson the winner of Britain's Got Talent.

Busking in itself is not illegal although many local authorities have passed by-laws
prohibiting busking. If you want to busk it is worth contacting the local authority to see if
any by-laws have been passed with regards to busking. Children under 14 years may not
busk.For more information about busking in Skelmersdale and West Lancashire, contact;

West Lancashire Council Offices, 52 Derby St, Ormskirk, Tel 01695 577177
www.westlancsdc.gov.uk/council__democracy/contact_us.aspx

There is no information on the site that we could find, which might mean there aren't any
by-laws although that is unlikely. We suggest you complete the email contact form and
ask, or ring them up.

There are a number of laws that the authorities can use against you if they decide that you
are a problem. Causing an obstruction, or behaving in an abusive or threatening manner
towards members of the public can of course get you into trouble with the police.

Often getting a pitch is quite straightforward: you just turn up, and if the space is free you
can play there. Buskers who play regularly in a particular place tend to make informal
arrangements among themselves. If someone is busking where you want to play, just ask
them what time they plan to finish, and if you can take over from them. The chances are
they will be glad of the opportunity to take a break.

We have listed below a few websites which you may find useful:

- The web-site vocalist.org.uk contains a lot of useful information. though aimed at singers,
much of it is of interest to musicians in general, and contains info about busking in various
parts of the UK.

- The musicalbusker website has useful information of interest to buskers, particularly
information about local authority licensing restrictions for buskers, check out
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A8239999

We hope this information was helpful. Please contact us again, about this or anything
else, if you would like to.

Best wishes q2a.

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