Town's buskers face official guidance for performing

Reading Borough Council said buskers add to the "vibrancy" of the town centre (stock photo)

Buskers in Reading town centre face having to comply with official council guidance.

The borough council has opened a consultation on the issue after "feedback" gathered by Reading Business Improvement District (BID) and residents.

It said street performers made "valued contributions to the vibrancy" of the area but that it had listened to those objecting to louder sets.

The consultation includes proposed guidance suggesting buskers "avoid repetition of songs as this is often a cause of complaint".

It also suggests "careful consideration" is given to choosing a pitching area and avoiding amplification after 21:00.

The move comes after other local authorities around the UK have also introduced guidelines for buskers, including Glasgow City Council, which has erected signs with rules.

The guidelines would apply to buskers performing in the centre of Reading

Karen Rowland, the authority's lead councillor for environmental services and community safety, said: "Whilst many people enjoy busking and other forms of street entertainment in our town centre, we also know that some residents and local businesses object to some of the more loudly amplified performances in busy shopping areas.

"We want to encourage good practice amongst our vibrant busking community, and set out reasonable advice and guidelines for sharing the limelight sensibly and respectfully."

The council said if agreed the guidance would also apply to other activities, including street preaching and campaigning.

It said it had "enforcement powers to tackle busking and street entertainment where there is a persistent adverse impact but, in practice, only serious incidences warrant these powers being used".

The proposed code is intended to be a tool for local businesses to use to engage with performers near their premises and for BID wardens, police, and council officers to promote a positive and respectful busking climate," it added.

The consultation runs until 15 September.