London buskers legally declared a nuisance for playing music too loud

Westminster Council was taken to court for failing to crack down on buskers (Picture: Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)

A London council has been told they must stop ‘nuisance buskers’ in Leicester Square leaving residents thrilled.

Westminster Council has been ordered to bring musicians back under control in a first-of-its-kind case after residents said they were fed up of hearing ‘Sweet Caroline’ on repeat.

Global, which has an office space nearby, accused the council of failing to enforce the rules set out – leaving them relying on noise cancelling headphones.

Westminster Magistrate’s Court agreed with the broadcast company, officially declaring the musicians to be a ‘nuisance’.

Simon Thomas, Executive Chairman of Hippodrome Casino, has said he has had enough of the buskers (Picture: Andy Barnes/w8media)

Matt Bawtree and his band have said the quality of busking in London is better than anywhere else in Europe (Picture: Andy Barnes/w8media)

Westminster Magistrates heard how set lists are repeatedly played on a loop, at a higher than necessary volume.

Simon Thomas, owner of the area’s iconic Hippodrome Casino, gave evidence at the hearing, saying the consistent thumping from amplifiers makes it impossible to get any work done in his office space.

He told Metro: ‘Hosting meetings while Sweet Caroline is playing at ridiculously loud volumes is ridiculous.’

All musicians who sign up and pay a license to busk in the area must sign a code of conduct which was introduced in 2021 following years of consultation.

This includes performances ending before 9pm, having a ‘varied repertoire’ to avoid song repetition, and using only basically-powered amplifiers in designated spots.

Six buskers have been prosecuted since September 2024 over unlicensed street entertainment offences.

Fines have ranged from £300 to £1,600 and in one case a 12-month conditional discharge.

Matt Bawtree, 21, who performs with his bandmates admitted other musicians with powerful amplifiers in the area ‘are not amazing’.

Fadil Maqedonci and 10-month-old daughter Ivy (Picture: Andy Barnes/w8media)

But his guitarist George Burton, also 21, said you get song repetition just by listening to Starbucks’ play their playlist in cafés.

‘The quality of busking in London is better than anywhere else in the UK, tourists come here and enjoy listening to us,’ he said.

‘They should maybe look into bringing in an audition scheme, but people come to Leicester Square to listen to us.’

A Westminster City Council Spokesperson said: ‘We understand the legitimate concerns raised in this case. Following this judgement the council will continue seeking a balance between minimising nuisance to our residents and businesses whilst ensuring performers can continue to add to the vibrant heritage of street entertainment in Westminster that has been loved by many for decades.

‘Our City Inspectors and Environmental Health teams will continue to partner with the police to address noise complaints and will continue to seize equipment or prosecute individuals when necessary.’

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