Speaking to Tina Daheley and Charlie Stayt on the iconic BBC Breakfast sofa, MU Assistant General Secretary Matt Wanstall outlined the union's position on busking.
Speaking to Tina Daheley and Charlie Stayt on the iconic BBC Breakfast sofa, MU Assistant General Secretary Matt Wanstall outlined the union's position on busking. "Public spaces are public spaces. You should be able to busk and you should be able to perform on the street," he said.
The interview coincided with the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Coventry. The PSPO, which focuses on amplification and the erection of gazebos and stalls, effectively bans busking in the city centre.
A worrying trend
The events in Coventry reflect a trend of busking bans across England. Discussing the impact of the Birmingham busking ban, which also prevents buskers from performing in the city centre and stems from attempts to limit anti-social behaviours that are nothing to do with busking or buskers, Matt said, "It's a bit like saying there's a bit of a problem here so we're going to stop everybody doing it. That's a big concern for us."
Matt also highlighted MU members' campaign for viable and accessible pitches in central London. It follows a court ruling banning busking in Leicester Square as of April 2025 – a ban that is compounded by regular closures of the Trafalgar Square pitch during peak summer and Christmas seasons. He described Leicester Square before the ban as "a thriving area for buskers" and highlighted the importance of free access to music and performance for both tourists and local people.
Matt emphasised that busking is a form of creative work, telling Tina and Charlie "It's a source of income. Many of our members make a living from busking... This is actually affecting people's careers and there's a knock-on effect in terms of the depreciation of culture."
Addressing musicians directly, Matt highlighted the Union's guidance on busking in different nations, regions and cities across the UK and encouraged buskers to check what the guidance is locally before they perform.
Supporting members campaigning against busking bans
Earlier this month, Westminster buskers took their campaign to Parliament, where they spoke to MPs about busking as an art form and as a career.
Speaking to The Stage about the event, busker Marcelo Cervone said, "To see busking essentially reduced to one useable location in central London, compelled me to go straight to parliament to try to make a difference."
Over 3000 people have signed a petition calling on Westminster Council to back their buskers. Add your voice to the call and spread the word with musicians and fans you know.
Musicians in the Birmingham area are encouraged to write to their councillor or MP to highlight the impact of the Birmingham City Council busking ban, with a focus on ensuring public spaces are for everyone and working with the Union to protect busking and keep streets live.