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Know the rules 

Some areas have restrictions on where and when street musicians can play, and sometimes buskers must register before they can set up. 

Check the relevant local authority website for any details. You can also check with your MU Regional Office, as there may be an issue we are aware of, such as certain restrictive practices or ongoing discussions in which we may be involved.

Note that children under 14 are not allowed to busk.

Please remember that in order to sell your merchandise when busking, you must apply for a street trading licence.

Busking in England and Wales

Busking is not generally considered a licensable activity under the Licensing Act 2003 and the MU are opposed to the notion of licensing busking and buskers.

Although it is legal to perform on public ground, restrictions that may be in place include – but are not necessarily limited to – blocking public highways (footpaths, pavements, open pedestrian areas), displaying notices asking for payment, carrying out street trading, or busking in certain areas for certain periods of time.

Find out if you need a busking license for the area where you want to busk.

Busking in Scotland

It is important to check the rules and requirements of the area where you want to busk in Scotland.

Most areas don’t necessarily require a licence to busk, but have advice and guidance for busking in Scotland because of a piece of legislation called Section 54 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

This legislation gives the police the power to request that buskers and street musicians stop performing, and confiscate equipment if they aggravate members of the public with their music.

Busking in Northern Ireland

While in Northern Ireland’s capital city Belfast there are no requirements for a busking license, 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.

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

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

Busking in Northern Ireland

Busking in Wales

The MU are here to protect and push for more jobs for musicians. If something is causing busking to be under threat where you are, or you have any questions or issues regarding busking, please contact your MU Regional Office.

View more general advice, tips and guidance for buskers below.

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Get support as a busker through MU membership

Street musicians can find support through the guidance and services that are a part of the MU membership.

You may need Public Liability Insurance to busk in some places.

Member services for street musicians

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Get support as a busker through MU membership

Latest news and features

Close up of male musician busking on the street, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone.

MU Members Urged to Challenge Birmingham’s Busking Ban

MU members are being urged to challenge Birmingham’s busking ban by responding to the council’s consultation and logging their objections to the proposed new Public Space Protection Order by Sunday 25 May 2025.

Published: 20 May 2025

Read more about MU Members Urged to Challenge Birmingham’s Busking Ban
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Member benefits for street musicians