Busking Licenses and Schemes

UK busking guidance, licences and schemes

This is a list of guidance, codes, licences or schemes that the MU has been involved with or made aware of. This is not an exhaustive list and details may change. You must check the latest guidance with the relevant local authority before you busk.

Busking in the Midlands

• Birmingham: In 2022, the City Council altered the terms of the busking agreement with the MU and introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that bans busking in the central zone of the city. This change is seen as a breach of the original agreement with the MU. The MU, together with Equity and Keep Streets Live, are continuing to challenge this decision. For the latest updates, please contact the Midlands Regional Office.
• Nottingham: There is a PSPO in the city centre restricting busking, which the MU has objected to, so please check the latest situation with the city council or the Midlands Regional Office.
• Stafford: The MU has received complaints from members about the Stafford PSPO, therefore please contact the Midlands Regional Office if you have an enquiry.

Busking in East-South East England

• Ipswich: The MU were involved in helping shape the Ipswich Good Busking Guide.
• Norwich: The MU contributed to the development of the busking guidelines for Norwich.

Busking in London

For those wishing to busk in London, the MU recommends reading the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP)’s guide on how to busk.

• London Underground: The MU is on the Transport For London (TFL) Busking Committee. Anyone wishing to busk on the train network can learn more and apply on the TFL’s website.
• Covent Garden: If you want to apply to busk in Covent Garden you can find out more on the Covent Garden website.
• Camden and Uxbridge:Camden and Uxbridge have licensed busking.
• Kensington and Chelsea: Pitches in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RKBC) are controlled by way of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). Outside of the areas defined in the PSPOs, anti-social busking that is breaching their Code of Conduct can be dealt with by issuing a Community Protection Notice (CPN) under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. For more information, please visit the RKBC website. The MU, Equity and Keep Streets Live released a joint statement regarding the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's proposals.
• South Bank: This area is privately owned. Anyone interested in joining the Southbank Busking Scheme should email streetentertainers@southbankcentre.co.uk and express interest for future auditions.
• Westminster: Since 5 April 2021, buskers have been required to apply for a licence to busk in central Westminster. Find out about which areas are affected and how to apply for a licence in Westminster. The MU, Equity, Keep Streets Live, the Westminster Street Performers Association, the Covent Garden Street Performers Association, and the Busking Project have released a joint statement regarding this proposal, and the MU has also called on Westminster City Council to appeal a court ruling which classifies busking in Leicester Square as a "statutory nuisance."

The Westminster SPA is a membership organisation run by buskers, offering advice and support for street performers in Westminster. They meet regularly with Westminster City Council and the MU to address issues affecting buskers.

Busking in Scotland

• Glasgow: Glasgow City Council have refreshed their Code of Conduct for Busking and Street Performing.  The Council reached out to the MU to share the update and to reiterate that they will continue to take a ‘light touch’ approach to the policing of the code, and that they seek to establish a positive relationship with the busking and street performing community in the City.
• Edinburgh: Read Edinburgh Council's specific guidelines for buskers. 
• Edinburgh Fringe: If you wish to busk during the Edinburgh Fringe, you may need to register depending on where you intend to busk. Read more about taking part in the Fringe's street events.

Busking in Northern Ireland

• Belfast: There are no requirements for a busking license, however in order to sell merchandise the busker has to apply for a street trading licence. You can find out more on Belfast City’s government website.
• Victoria Square Belfast: Is a privately owned shopping and leisure complex that asks buskers to register before pitching up.

Busking in Wales

• Cardiff: Cardiff Council have voluntary busking guidelines.
• Mermaid Quay Cardiff: Mermaid Quay is on private land, and busking is not permitted without prior approval.