Our busking and street entertainment policy
We introduced our busking and street entertainment policy in April 2021.
The policy is designed to support street entertainment while protecting residents and businesses from excessive noise and overcrowding caused by busking. It follows over two years of engagement with residents, businesses and performers in our key busking locations.
After implementation, we conducted a review of the policy. This resulted in proposed changes to the policy, conditions, and code of conduct.
From 00:01 on Thursday 17th April 2025, pitches 8 and 9 in Leicester Square will be suspended until further notice. This suspension is being implemented in compliance with the Abatement Order which was issued by the City of London Magistrates’ Court on 26 March 2025.
Apply for a licence
What does the policy include?
The policy sets out a code of conduct for all buskers and street entertainers in Westminster, provides guidance on self-regulation and will see the centre of Westminster become a regulated area for performers. This means that from 5 April 2021 performers need to apply for a licence in order to perform in these areas and perform only at a designated pitch.
All street performers in Westminster should follow the City-wide code of conduct. This aims to make sure performers are considerate of both the local community and other performers.
From April 2021, you must apply for a licence to perform in the centre of Westminster. To perform in these areas, you need to apply for a licence, busk in a marked pitch, and abide by the conditions of the licence.
There are 26 marked pitches across the licensed area of Westminster. Each pitch has its own conditions, which you must abide by. Some pitches allow amplification and others do not.
The licensed area includes the areas in and around:
- Paddington
- Marylebone
- Bayswater
- Oxford Street
- Mayfair
- Regent Street
- New Bond Street
- Piccadilly
- Chinatown
- Leicester Square
- Soho
- Covent Garden
- The Strand
- Charing Cross
- Embankment
- Trafalgar Square
- Whitehall
- Parliament Square
- Victoria
- Knightsbridge
- Belgravia
Report a problem
Please raise any complaints you may have regarding incidents via the Report It form on council’s website.
