The potential ban of busking in Leicester Square seeks to eradicate street entertainment from the heart of the West End. Photo credit: Jeff Spicer/PA Media Assignments.
On Wednesday 16 April 2025, the Musicians’ Union organised a protest to protect busking in Leicester Square.
Musicians gathered to urge Westminster City Council to appeal the recent noise abatement notice from the City of London Magistrates’ Court categorising music played by buskers in Leicester Square as a ‘statutory nuisance’.
The protest marked what could potentially be the last day of busking for one of the world’s most famous street entertainment spots.
The move risks the livelihoods of musicians playing in Leicester Square
The move risks the livelihoods of the musicians playing in Leicester Square, and also sets a dangerous precedent for other local authorities supportive of busking musicians and other street entertainers.
The judgement, which compares some elements of busking to “psychological torture techniques”, unfairly punishes those trying to comply with an already highly restrictive busking licensing scheme.
We urge Westminster City Council to appeal this decision, and to liaise closely with the musicians who have worked tirelessly to ensure that an agreeable coexistence can be achieved between musicians, audiences, residents and businesses to avoid the eradication of street entertainment from the heart of the West End.
Street performers provide entertainment, reduce crime rates and attract more tourism and business
MU member and representative of the Westminster Street Performers Association (WSPA), Will Cork, comments on how the opportunity to entertain the public in Leicester Square has helped to develop his career and online following, and believes that to lose this busking pitch would be devastating.
He said: “We empathise with anyone subject to unreasonable noise, and we would like to work with nearby businesses to ensure the best possible outcome for all parties involved. Street performers bring vibrance, entertainment, reduce crime rates and bring more tourism and business to areas of the city.”
Photo credit: Jeff Spicer/PA Media Assignments.
We need to protect the cultural fabric of London’s West End
MU London Regional Officer, Simeon Scheuber-Rush, said: “It is extremely disappointing that despite significant efforts from our members to comply with the imposition of the Westminster Busking Licensing Scheme, both their livelihoods and the provision of accessible, affordable street entertainment remain under threat.
“Musicians are dedicated to their craft and always strive to entertain the public; they have no desire to be considered a ‘nuisance’ and we’ve seen our members work collaboratively and cordially with the council to address any issues as they arise. There's no certainty that the imposition of further access restrictions to busking in this location would provide a resolution to the noise disturbance experienced by businesses located in the square.
“Such an iconic area of Central London frequently experiences higher sound levels due to regular events including film premieres and Christmas markets and the sound contributions from unlicensed street entertainers, pedicabs and street preachers combining with the noise synonymous with such a busy tourism hotspot.”
The MU urgently calls on Westminster City Council to do everything in its power to appeal this judgement and to support musicians in finding a way to continue their contribution to the cultural fabric of London’s West End.