It is hoped that use of these guidelines can help sustain

a vibrant town centre experience for all.

Guide for
Street Performers
(Buskers)

Regular disregard of the advice provided may increase

the likelihood of complaints, possible enforcement
action or calls for East Riding of Yorkshire Council to
introduce a formal busking scheme.
If you require any further information about the contents
of this leaflet please do not hesitate to contact us:
Environmental Control

pollution.control@eastriding.gov.uk
(01482) 396301

County Hall
Cross Street

Beverley

HU17 9BA
Town Hall

Bridlington

YO16 4LP
Council Offices
Church Street

Goole

DN14 5BG
For general self-help advice, please visit our website:

www.eastriding.gov.uk/pollution

East Riding of Yorkshire Council will, on request,

provide this document in Braille, audio or large
print format.
If English is not your first language and you would
like a translation of this document into any other
language, please telephone (01482) 393939.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993

Currently there is no specific licensing or registration

scheme for street entertainers in the East Riding of
Yorkshire. A significant number of complaints have been
received in recent times. In an attempt to encourage
good relations between street performers, the local
community and businesses and enforcement agencies,
the following guidelines have been put together. The
guidance is based on a balance between various laws and
examples of good and bad practice.
Performances of live amplified music in the street may
require a temporary events notice you should contact
the Licensing Team for advice in advance.
Licensing Team

licensing@eastriding.gov.uk
(01482) 887700
County Hall, Cross Street, Beverley HU17 9BA

Sale of Merchandise
The sale of any merchandise (for example, CDs) is
not allowed unless a Street Trading Consent has been
obtained from the councils Licensing Team.
If you want to sell items in the street or on land where
the public have access without having to pay, you will
require a street trading consent from the Licensing Team.
If you trade and do not have a consent you could be
committing an offence.
Safety and Risk Management
We advise all buskers to think about public safety when
planning and setting up their act. East Riding of Yorkshire
Council cannot be held liable for the activities of buskers
and we advise all buskers to carry Public Liability
Insurance (PLI).

Good Practice Guide

PLEASE DO:

Make contact with the neighbouring

traders when looking for a site to busk.
Advise them how long you intend to
perform in that location, which should
never be more than 1 hour.
Consider neighbours when setting your
volume reduce the noise level to a
minimum and stick to it. Busking must
never be intrusive or a nuisance to nearby
premises.

PLEASE DO NOT:

Play for more than 1 hour in any

location (pitch).
Return to any location (pitch) within a
period of 3 hours.
Obstruct pedestrians - Busk near
doorways, cashpoints, post boxes or
phone boxes.
Busk in an area where an event is already
taking place without obtaining the event
organisers permission.
Actively ask for contributions. This is
begging and you could be arrested/
prosecuted if you do.
Act or speak aggressively to people
exercising their right to ask you to stop.
Behave in a manner causing or likely to
cause a Breach of the Peace.