THE stand-off between Liverpool City Council and the city’s buskers took a new turn today when a leading law firm stepped in with a legal challenge.
Merseyside-based Kirwans is backing the Keep Streets Live! campaign to overturn new measures by Liverpool City Council. Under the rules, street artists must obtain £20 permits and take out public liability insurance costing around £100 a year. They are also required to sign up to highly restrictive terms and conditions.
'While arguably trying to make improvements Liverpool City Council has created a problem -
but it is not too late to fix it' - David Kirwan
News of the scheme was revealed exclusively on Liverpool Confidential in June, as was the subsequent fight-back, spearheaded by the Association of Street Artists and Performers.
Now Kirwans, acting on behalf of Liverpool buskers and its client Siobhan McDermott, has given notice to Liverpool City Council of its intention to seek a judicial review over the “unreasonable, overbearing and unfair” decision.
The full letter, addressed to Mayor Joe Anderson, has since been obtained by Liverpool Confidential sources and can be read here
Campaigners are urging street performers to refuse to sign up to the buskers “charter” which is part of a council Street Activity Management Plan, backed by Mayor Joe Anderson. Street artists face possible trespass charges if they do not co-operate.
The controversial licence scheme gives police officers and council staff civic Simon Cowell powers to halt performers if they believe the entertainment is not of "satisfactory quality".
He da man: Solicitor
David KirwanPeople who spread blankets, sit on pavements, are under 18 or who use animals or power tools, will also be targeted by the council, according to the new policy.
Solicitor David Kirwan, managing partner of Kirwans, said: “Entertainment is the heartbeat of Liverpool’s culture - it defines our city’s personality and gives us inspiration through good times and bad.
“Liverpool is also the birthplace of popular music. I have witnessed the creative influence of street performers on our popular culture from the Merseybeat era of the 1960s through to the role it played during the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008. We need our streets buzzing in order to prosper.
“This is an important campaign for our city and other towns and cities across the UK whose council leaders may be tempted to follow Liverpool’s poor example. While arguably trying to make improvements Liverpool City Council has created a problem - but it is not too late to fix it. A common sense solution can be reached to satisfy the council and benefit performers, traders and the public.
“Some of the new measures are not only at odds with the spirit and culture of our city but also the law. We are seeking justice for the street performers by challenging through the courts if necessary.”
Vanishing act since the new rules came in last month
Liverpool-born Jonny Walker, 32, is leading the Keep Streets Live! campaign.
“Visitors to the city rightly expect our streets to be animated with art and music," he says. "The council is attempting to impose control and excessive regulation on one of the areas of city life where it is least needed.
“We are delighted that Kirwans, a long established law firm with an understanding of Liverpool’s culture, will use their legal expertise to help us put right a wrong.”
More than 4,300 people have so far signed the petition, both on paper and online here urging the council to review the policy.
