Buskers and Street Entertainers

Do’s and Don’ts

1. Within your designated space you must not stand/sit, or spread out your equipment etc. so as to cause an obstruction of the highway (footpath), entrances/exits to shops, phone boxes, post boxes, cash machines or to shop window displays.
2. Entertainers shall not make use of the street furniture, such as public seats, lampposts, planting and railings
3. Pitches chosen must satisfy the above criteria and must not be within 50 metres of another busker.
4. No sign shall be displayed inviting payment (except where a collection for charity has been authorised by the Council via a Street Collection Permit which can be obtained from Licensing General (0114 2734264).
5. You must not actively collect money, but you may have a receptacle (e.g. box, hat or musical instrument case) into which you can accept donations from members of the general public in return for your performance.
6. You are not allowed to purport to collect for charitable or for other purposes, since this would be a ‘street collection’ requiring a permit from the City Council’s Licensing Section.
7. The selling of any merchandise such as tapes, CD’s and T-shirts is not permitted and would be an offence for which you could be prosecuted.
8. Amplifiers and loudspeakers may only be used at the discretion of the City Centre Management Team and if so at reasonable levels so as not to cause a nuisance.  Mains or generated power amplifiers are not permitted.
9. Busking and entertainment should normally only take place between 10.00am and 6.00pm, with performances lasting a maximum of 3 hours, and not return to the same place or within 50 metres within 3 hours. 
10. Entertainers should not perform in a manner, which maybe considered dangerous to themselves or the general public, and shall not dress or say anything which is likely to cause alarm, distress or offence to a member of the public.
11. Please apply for your busking permit badge to the City Centre Management Team.  You can do this either by calling in person (Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm) or by contacting us via details below and requesting a badge be posted out to you.

Please note:

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