Home > Living > Licensing > Street Entertainment > What are the legal requirements as a Street Entertainer?

What are the legal requirements as a Street Entertainer?

The Act of Parliament we have used to licence and regulate street entertainers is Section 145 of the Local Government Act 1972. This Act allows the Council to arrange for the 'provision of entertainment' and consequently the street entertainment permit scheme was introduced in selected precinct areas in June 1990.
Although 'busking' permits allow for persons to provide street entertainment in the precinct area(s) you should note that various other statutes and powers are available for the Council or police to control other activities as follows:

• Trading - If you sell or offer for sale goods (including say records, cassettes or other merchandise) you will be breaking the law regarding street trading. No trading can take place without the benefit of a consent issued by the Council in the precinct area(s) there are only a limited number of available consents which have all been allocated.
• Noise Nuisance - If you cause a noise nuisance by either the use of amplification equipment (or in other ways) the Council may take action by serving an abatement notice or may even prosecute you in serious cases.
• Begging - It is an offence to beg under the Vagrancy Acts.
  Obstruction - The police have powers to move on persons obstructing the highway. Even if you hold a permit you must not cause an obstruction or block the freeflow of pedestrian movement in the precinct area(s).
• Charitable Collections - You must not, under any circumstances make representations that money you collect will go to charitable or other purposes. Only authorised street collecting permits allow for such collections to take place
  

---