HARD UP buskers and street entertainers in Liverpool will be singing for more than their supper, under new council rules. They will be singing for the hefty cost of public liability insurance and a licence to perform.
And police and council officers will be able become civic Simon Cowells with powers to order street entertainers to put a sock in it – if they deem a performance not good enough.
The new edict, which comes before the Mayor's cabinet this Friday, comes into force on June 15 and will empower officials to exit-stage left street entertainers not playing by the rules.
'...such reason may include the Constable or Officer not being satisfied in their opinion that the performance is of a satisfactory quality'
Permits will cost £20 a year and insurance could cost up to £100 – a sizeable chunk for some buskers entertaining on the streets because they are skint.
As well as needing the right paperwork, buskers will only be allowed to entertain at authorised pitches around the city centre.
The buskers "charter" is part of a council Street Activity Management Plan, backed by Mayor Joe Anderson.
A report to the cabinet says it recognises the value of street entertainment for local people and visitors.
“Good quality and regulated entertainment adds to the ambience of the city centre and provides an added attraction," says the officer’s report.
“Street entertainment includes musical performances, busking, singing, dancing, street statues, mime, juggling, puppetry."
It adds that businesses and partner agencies are not always clear who is responsible for the regulation of street entertainment.
The report says: “At present street entertainment within the city centre can be intrusive to both businesses and residents alike. Street entertainers have in the past been accused of noise nuisance violations, repetitive performances, offensive/ inappropriate behaviour and causing dangerous obstructions.
“There has been an increase in reports of abusive and offensive incidents which has caused alarm and distress to members of the general public and businesses within the city centre.”
Are they good enough or well off enough?
The long arm of the law will become the long arm of the gong as police and other officials will get to judge the quality of a performance and take steps to stop it if they think it isn't up to scratch.
The report adds: “Entertainers must cease their performance and move on if requested to do so for any reason by a Police Constable or a Council Officer. For the avoidance of doubt, such reason may include the Constable or Officer not being satisfied in their opinion that the performance is of a satisfactory quality.”
The cabinet report says in 2008 a voluntary code of practice was introduced. But this has not succeeded in eliminating complaints from businesses, residents and others.
The new rules have been developed after looking at what happens in other cities, as well as consulting Musician’s Union, street entertainers, businesses and partners.
The council has already clamped down on the activities of chuggers – clipboard-armed canvassers who at one time seemed to outnumber shoppers in Church Street.
This has constrained the activities of individuals seeking to sign members of the public up to charitable causes. Following complaints from the public and business owners, chuggers can now operate only on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday on parts of Bold Street and Church Street with only five people per site.
The new buskers charter is seen as playing a part in supporting the Mayor’s pledge to “Transform Liverpool into one of the most business and enterprise friendly cities in the UK”.
Thumbs downBut others would argue that it is attempting to turn art into a commodity out of which it may make a fast buck.
“The proposed terms and conditions will support the provision of busking in the city centre, something for which the city has been long associated; but allow agencies to effectively manage such animation to everyone’s benefit,” says the city council.”
We asked this street statue for a comment, but he was saying nothing.
'No power tools': A drilldown of the new rules
* Entertainers must not perform in a manner dangerous to them or the general public, and they shall not dress or say or express in any other way anything which is likely to cause alarm, distress or offence.
* Entertainers shall not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
* Entertainers must stand unless their performance requires them to be seated or if they have a disability which prevents them from standing. If their performance does require to be seated then this must NOT be directly on the floor – a suitable folding chair should be used. Tents, gazebos or other structures must not be used.
* Animals will not be permitted either as part of the street entertainment.
Banned* Power tools, pyrotechnics or hazardous materials may not be used.
* Money must not be actively collected or solicited, but an open receptacle (e.g. box, hat or musical instrument case) into which donations from members of the general public may be placed.
* Entertainers must cease their performance and move on if requested to do so for any reason by a Police Constable or a Council Officer. For the avoidance of doubt, such reason may include the Constable or Officer not being satisfied in their opinion that the performance is of a satisfactory quality.
* It is illegal for persons under 18 to play, sing or perform in a street for money or monies worth.
* Amplification will be permitted, but not such where the volume gives rise to complaint; entertainment must not be audible beyond 30 metres of the performance above the normal level of street noise.
* Musical entertainment must provide a varied repertoire and must not take place for more than two hours at any one location.
* Pitches on Bold Street, Williamson Square, Cavern Quarter, Queens Square, Lord Street and Church Street must be reserved not more than one week and not less than one day in advance via City Central Business Improvement District office.
