Serena Kaos, member and busker: “It’s important for us to stick around; music brings people together…..Westminster should value its buskers”. Photo: The MU.
With no viable, safe and accessible alternative busking pitches to work from, licensed buskers face a precarious future with many stepping away from busking in the central London borough completely.
MU member and MP for Poole, Neil Duncan-Jordan, joined the Big Busk on guitar for several songs.
In a well received speech, Neil spoke to the gathering crowd about the vital role busking plays, how it brings people together, and the role unions, local councillors and MPs can play in securing and supporting busking.
The fight for busking in Westminster continues
Our members continue their campaign for more accessible pitches, asking Westminster Council to consult on the amplification of the busking pitch at Piccadilly Circus (Eros), and the protection of the Trafalgar Square pitch over the festive period.
It’s been over a year since busking was banned in Leicester Square following a City of London Magistrates Court decision that described busking as a “statutory nuisance” and compared it to “psychological torture techniques.”
With no date confirmed for the appeal hearing, buskers continue to face an uncertain future.
Now, with financially viable and accessible amplified pitches reduced to just Trafalgar Square, many will not be able to make a living due to the consistent closure of their pitch during peak seasons like summer and Christmas.
Calling on Westminster Council to back the borough’s buskers, MU members have built a powerful member-led campaign. Together, they have:
Buskers are part of London culture
Speaking at the Big Busk, member and busker Serena Kaos said: “It’s important for us to stick around; music brings people together…..Westminster should value its buskers’.
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.
Now more than ever the buskers of Westminster need your support.