Hello everyone,

I was thinking about doing a busking tour in UK this JULY and was wondering about few things.

*How do you get a busking permit and how long does it take to get it?

*If you have experience performing in those countries I would be happy to get your recommendations about good spots/cities where to perform.
(i was thinking about Dublin, Edinburgh, Liverpool and maybe North Ireland).


Thanks a lot
Dimitri

If you end up in the city of Glasgow, beware of poorly educated, officious "officers" (they aren't "officers" by any definition) dressed almost exactly like Scottish Police Officers, trying to move you on, obtain your particulars etc. These people are no more than city litter wardens (can ONLY issue Fixed Penalty Notices for dropping litter & dogs dropping whatever a dog drops!). They're identifiable by the Lone Star tin cap badge (really is...shiny cheap nasty thing!), and the cap band being a dirty yellow & black check rather than the real police white & black. They will also have "Community Safety" on the rear of their body armour.
They have NO POWERS WHATSOEVER to obtain your details, or ask you to move on...although I hear that the local council are using (abusing) them for this purpose! They're dressed like cops for a reason...and that's to intimidate & present an "official" uniformed presence on Glasgow streets...you might say a con by pretending to the general public that these untrained, poorly educated "wannabe" cops are keeping the city safe!
The ONLY people who can request you "move on" are genuine, trained, "real" police officers...who will have "Police" clearly displayed on their uniform - NOT some City Council litter/dog poo warden!

Https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=7896&p=0

Glasgow City's guide for street performers. Disregard the mention of "Strathclyde Police." Strathclyde Police no longer exist...Scotland now has only one police force known as "Police Scotland" (I know...bit of a stupid title!!).

Ooooh - how MODERN!

Thanks for comment!

i read the artical, it says that is not allowed to ask for contributions, is it true?
It does not have any sense

By the way, do I need a busking permit for busking in Scotland?
Thanks

Greetings Dimitri!
(congradulations on Ukraine's victory in Euro Song,....😊)
This probably won't help much,..
but I just read it(!),..
kinda fits.

I'm laying in bed with a bag of potatoe chips and a skin-warm fanta.
'Pfingst Monday'.
{,...we're going out later..}
AND,
and,.
a good book(!).
I found a J.P. Lovecraft book,
..IN ENGLISH(!),
..saturday in a flea market.
"The Dream-Quest of the Unknown Kadath" (1924)

"At length, sick with longing for those glittering sunset streets and cryptical hill lanes among ancient tiled roofs, nor able sleeping or waking to drive them from his mind, Carter resolved to go with bold entreaty whither no man had gone before, and dare the icy deserts through the dark to where unknown Kadath, veiled in cloud and crowned with unimagined stars, holds secret and nocturnal the onyx castle of the Great Ones."


Dimitri,..
."..go with bold entreaty,..
whither no man had gone before,
...and dare..."

{then,
maybe take the time and write us back about it!
I'd love to hear!}

have a good trip,
gallagher

Cheshire county guide says the same about asking for money which is a shame because Chester is a great town for potential busking. I too would like clarification on this point from more experienced busking hands. Perhaps someone has some clever hatlines to get around this.

No Permit or Licence required...but no asking for contributions either which could be seen as begging. However, there's nothing stopping you placing a container (hat etc) on the ground near you for voluntary contributions/tips from appreciative passers-by

I busked in Chester many years ago. The only rule I remember being enforced was the "no shows at the cross" rule (and that's pretty fair since it's used by the Town Crier, roman Soldiers and other historical yeomanry). I doubt a hat line after a strong show would cause any problems.

Ok most towns are ok London you do need permits on southbank and Camden Covent Garden is a hit off miss on permits I would stay clear of Glasgow a tuff city keep to Cambridge, bath ,and the south coast Brighton ,,Edinburgh festival will be crazy and a nightmere there and big money for hotels call me if you arrive in u.K on 07973512845

Thank you all for the information!
I appreciate it

It's interesting to see how busking works around the world

Lincoln has no permits, Just no blocking footways. Decent tourist place in the summer too.

Same thing as here in RI, "no direct solicitation of funds," I work it into my line; "My agree with the city is that I can perform so long as I make no direct solicitation for funds. And I won't. I won't tell you you have to give me money, that would be rude. And I won't beg you to please give me money, that would be pathetic. I simply point out that here in the city of Providence, tipping is not something done with cows!"

Now NEWPORT, as far as I understand it, will only allow busking if you don't ACCEPT any money whatsoever! The only way that can be legal is that they're counting on no busker having the time, money and cojones to challenge them on it!