How to apply
You can apply for a licence online.
Application Requirements
To apply for a licence, you must submit the following documents:
- application form
- relevant application fee
- photographic ID (including passport or driving licence) - if the applicant does not have either a passport or driving licence, we will accept the long form birth certificate with a recent photograph
- certificate of public liability insurance exceeding £ 2 million
- declaration of the right to work in the UK
- description of your performance activity and a description of any instruments or other equipment that may be used during the performance
View areas where regulation applies and designated busking pitches within Westminster.
You are permitted to apply for either the busking and street entertainment licence or the busking and street entertainment licence with an additional temporary licence that permits the sale of merchandise associated with your performance.
Next steps
When you submit your application, it will be checked to ensure that you have provided all of the required information, and if so, we will consider your application and grant your licence within 10 working days of receipt of your valid application.
If you have requested a variation of a condition as part of your application, it may take us up to 21 days to consider and determine your application.
If successful, we will issue a busking and street entertainment licence valid for either 1 or 6 months, depending on the term sought.
You can apply for a further one or six months licence to run consecutively. You must submit the renewal application and payment online at least two weeks before the expiry of your current one month licence and at least four weeks before the expiry of your current six month licence.
For advice on applying and to view rules and policies used to decide application, please read our standard conditions:
The Busking and Street Entertainment is regulated under the London Local Authorities Act 2000.
The sale of articles associated with performances is regulated under the City of Westminster Act 1999.
Code of conduct
As a busker and street entertainer, you are subject to the code of conduct and standard conditions whilst performing on one of the designated pitches.
All holders of a temporary licences associated with busking and street entertainment licence must comply with the temporary licence conditions for the sale of goods.
