Greetings,

Can you help me find out what I need to do in order to perform on the streets of London & the UK when I visit there in the middle of March?

I am a regular performer on the streets of San Francisco, but I'm uncertain of the laws, police, etc. in London & the rest of the UK.

I've heard that the requirements there are considerably more formal than here in SF.

Thanks in advance for any information you can offer.

Mental Wires,
Allen

I do not perform on the streets, but I believe that you will have to find out the individual Borough Council for each part of London, to be able to obtain permits and permission. If you are performing around the West End / Covent Garden, you will need to contact Westminster Borough Council. You can find them on the web. The Police are very busy and tend to be more interested in real criminals and vagrants. We also have a problem with 'busking' beggars from the eastern block countries(I use the term loosely)on the London Underground system. The Britsh Transport Police are always arresting them and the Underground is littered with C.C.T.V.
Covent garden seems to be the accepted area for street performers.
I wish you luck and when you are over give me a shout, I may come over and watch !

Regards Nitram London UK

Hello Allen

Permits are usually required for most forms of street work - if you choose to go down the formal route that is and not just out and chance your luck.

Depending where you are, contacting the local Council - usually to the Licensing Department (will be in any phonebook) will get you the infomation you need. My local city charges £100 a day for the permit and have a 30 point information sheet with regards to the do's and don't's. i.e the need to have insurance, the agreement not to use amplification.

Good luck

For Covent garden you will require performance insurance and have to pay for a membership to perform. I think you may need to audition for some private places. :-(

Hey Allen let us know when you're here! I'll definately try and come watch.

Maxim.