The street performers—magicians, musicians, clowns, knife throwers and more—whose varied acts have long been a major attraction in London’s Covent Garden and Leicester Square areas say their livelihoods and existence are threatened by attempts at licensing and regulation.
The Covent Garden Street Performers Association, which represents them, says that the 2021 licensing scheme imposed by the Westminster Council, a local government body, would put them out of business and they should be allowed to regulate themselves as the have in the past.
The 2021 law has largely been ignored, but the Council has moved lately toward enforcement. However, after strong protests, the Council has launched a ‘public consultation’ on the issue, running from January 8 to March 18 before making a final decision.
The Council says its goal is to “protect residents and businesses from excessive noise and overcrowding,” while the buskers say the rules are too strict and that there have never been any great number of complaints.
