Green Party leader Zack Polanski joined the MU and supporters at a Leicester Square photo call last year to back the campaign for new busking pitches. Photo: Jeff Spicer/PA Media Assignments ©The MU.
Today is the one-year anniversary of the last day of busking Leicester Square, following a City of London Magistrates Court decision that described busking as a “statutory nuisance” and compared it to “psychological torture techniques.”
Since then, buskers — supported by the Musicians' Union — have been campaigning for new viable and accessible pitches to replace what was lost. Our main asks are amplified busking at the Eros pitch in Piccadilly Circus, and the protection of the Trafalgar Square pitch over the festive period.
Calling on Westminster Council to back the borough’s buskers, MU members have organised themselves into a campaigning force. Together, over the last year, they have:
Buskers are part of the fabric of London
Marking the one-year anniversary, MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl said: "For buskers, this pitch is vital — losing the Leicester Square pitch means losses of up to £15,000 a year for buskers, against the average UK musician income of £20,700.
“In November and December 2025, 88% of Westminster buskers made significantly less or nothing at all, compared to the same period in 2024.
“Meanwhile for audiences, street entertainment is at the heart of the West End, supporting local businesses and providing accessible live music for many.
"We're calling for new viable and accessible pitches in Westminster to replace what was lost in Leicester Square, particularly during the busy Christmas period. Musicians should be supported as part of the cultural fabric of the city, not have their livelihoods put at risk."
Backed by household names
Their campaign has the backing of Labour MPs Dawn Butler and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Green Party leader Zack Polanski, and Conservative Councillor Tim Mitchell.
Busker and social media sensation Luke Silva shared his support with over 2m followers on YouTube and TikTok.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also spoken in favour of busking in the capital, saying, “I fully support the Council’s appeal against the abatement notice, along with all efforts to ensure performers have access to viable and high-profile pitches across the city.”
“It is important that solutions are found so that busking can continue to be a meaningful, sustainable career and Londoners can benefit from their contribution to our capital,” the Mayor added.