Buskers and street performers code of practice for Leeds City Centre
Leeds City Council welcomes activity that enhances visitors’ experience of Leeds city centre.
Busking and street performing can act as a vital platform for artists, while adding colour, vibrancy and interest to the streets and spaces within the city.
However, busking and street performing is a source of complaints to Leeds City Council. The complaints tend to be based on excessive noise and repetition of music, which can cause annoyance and distress for city centre residents, visitors and businesses.
This Code of Practice sets out simple steps that Buskers and street performers should take to minimise any potentially negative impacts and informs on how to remain compliant with the PSPO.
Code of practice for busking and street performers in Leeds
Be a good neighbour
Please take into account other city centre users when performing. Introduce yourself to neighbouring businesses before you start.
Be safe
Ensure that your act is safe, both for those taking part and members of the public around you. Make sure people can’t trip over your equipment. If your performance draws a crowd, make sure that pedestrians or vehicles can still get past.
For some larger performances, Leeds City Council may require you to provide a risk assessment.
Keep the volume down
Keep amplification at reasonable levels - use a small portable, battery powered amp if needed. Don’t bring generators, and don’t elevate amps/speakers off the ground.
Remember there are residential properties around the City Centre. Do not busk after 10pm as this causes disturbance to residents. Comply with requests from Council Officers, Police Officers, the public and businesses, if they ask you to turn it down.
Vary your repertoire
Repetitiveness can be annoying and intrusive to nearby business and shopworkers. Take regular breaks to ensure those around you also have a break.
Move location every 2 hours
We know it’s important to get a good pitch. However, we recommend moving every two hours in order to share the pitches with fellow performers, and to minimise the impact of your performance on any particular business or location.
Private land and sensitive locations
This code of practice only covers public land. You cannot busk in private land - like shopping centres - unless you have permission from the land owner.
'The Leeds Library' is the oldest surviving subscription library in the UK, having opened in its current location in 1808. The Library is on Commercial Street, so we ask that buskers keep the volume to an absolute minimum while in that area.
Be respectful of other events and activity
Please respect formally organised events and keep your distance from those.
Be genuine
Don’t fool customers by giving the impression that you are playing an instrument, when you are not.
Leave room for others
Don’t block doorways, pavements or fire exits. Leave at least 50 metres between you and the next busker or street performer. Be sensible about the location of your pitch.
Don’t spread out
Keep your pitch as small as possible and keep it tidy.
No animals
Animals must not be used as part of any performance.
Donations and sales
Busking and street performing do not involve a formal sales transaction because donations are given to buskers or street performers voluntarily. Likewise, the sale of any associated goods like CDs must be on the basis that the donation is entirely voluntary. The fact that any contribution is entirely voluntary must be made clear to prospective purchasers. If it is not made clear, Council Officers may insist that you remove those items from display.
Copyrighted music
Buskers must hold a Performing Rights Society (PRS) music licence in order to lawfully play copyrighted music in public. The licence gives legal permission to play copyrighted music for prolonged periods of time.
Be family friendly
Leeds is a family friendly city. Ensure your performance is appropriate for all ages.
Large performance like a choir, Christmas carols or dance troupe?
Get in touch with City Centre Management on 0113 378 6646 or email
city.centre.managem@leeds.gov.uk.
It may be better for you to book one of our city centre promotional events spaces, which will give you plenty of space.
Legislation
Noise nuisance legislation is in place and Council Officers will continue to monitor the impact of noise nuisance and take action where appropriate.
A
city centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is now in place. This introduces prohibitions in the city centre; enforced by Council Officers. Following the simple steps in this code will help you avoid being liable for a fine.
PSPO prohibitions to be aware of:
“Person(s) within the restricted area will not create loud and persistent amplified sound which could reasonably cause annoyance”.
“Persons within the restricted area will not erect temporary structures in a public space without the permission of Leeds City Council”.
Read the full city centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
As per Government Guidelines children under the age of 14 are not allowed to busk.
Children over the age of 14 considering busking in Leeds should be accompanied by a parent or guardian and should not busk during school term time.
The formal sale of goods and services is covered by Street Trading legislation in Leeds city centre. Busking and street performing do not involve a formal sales transaction because donations are given to buskers or street performers voluntarily.
For more information, contact City Centre Management on 0113 3786646 or
city.centre.managem@leeds.gov.uk.
Leeds City Council and partners employ a range of on-street uniformed officers. Please comply with any requests from a uniformed officer.
Version: Spring 2024
