Leicester Square busking suspended by council

A judge ruled that buskers in Leicester Square were causing a nuisance

Two busking performance pitches in Leicester Square have been suspended by Westminster City Council in order to comply with a court ruling.

It follows a case between Global Radio and the council where a judge ordered the local authority to stop the "nuisance" caused by buskers.

Matt Noble, from Westminster City Council said although street performers were "much-loved" it had a legal obligation to act.

Mr Noble added that street performers were not being banned across Westminster.

He said: "Street performers are a much-loved part of our city's identity, but we also have to balance this with a duty to protect residents and businesses.

"The court ruling gives us no choice—we now have a legal obligation to act."

The next step will be to consider the court ruling and find a fair solution, he said.

The suspension comes into force from 17 April until further notice and applies to all licensed and unlicensed buskers and street entertainers in Leicester Square.

Anyone who flouts the new rules may face enforcement that includes a fine, equipment being seized or their licence being taken off them, a spokesperson added.

The action follows an abatement order that was issued against the council by the City of London Magistrates' Court on 26 March.

It is understood Westminster City Council will explore its grounds of appeal and revisions to its busking and street entertainment licensing regime.