“They use so much amplification which is not allowed, but they don’t care”: London residents head to court over late-night buskers
Residents and businesses based in Leicester Square have taken Westminster Council to court in a first-of-its-kind case regarding buskers.
The complainants, lead by Leicester Square-based Global Radio, argue that the central London council has failed to address their concerns about buskers making too much noise, especially late at night. They are saying it violates the Environmental Protection Act 1990 – a law often used to tackle issues like fly tipping – in the first case of its kind.
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Buskers, meanwhile, have said that their performances are staples of city life.
One local resident, Fadil Maqedonci, tells Metro that he had been living in the south corner or Leicester Square for 25 years and has been forced to consider moving over the noise, even after spending £4,000 on window modifications to block it out.
“They use so much amplification which is not allowed, but they don’t care. They have told me to fuck off before and they turn the crowd against you,” Maqedonci said. He added that there were times he had to go outside in his pyjamas at 3am to get the buskers to stop.
Westminster Magistrates Court has heard that set lists allegedly are played on loop, at an excessive volume and well into the early hours.
Staff at Global have said that they have had to wear noise-cancelling headphones or even go into cupboards to get work done. Recordings made at their desks were played in court.
Simon Thomas, owner of Leicester Square’s renowned Hippodrome Casino, gave evidence at the hearing and said the buskers were making it impossible for him to work in his office space.
Hippodrome casino. Credit: Peter Dazeley/Getty
“Hosting meetings while Sweet Caroline is playing at ridiculously loud volumes is ridiculous,” he said.
Buskers who pay for a license must sign a code of conduct which was introduced in 2021. It stipulates that they have to have a “varied repertoire”, end performances before 9pm and use only basic-powered amplifiers in designated spots. They also must keep their volume down to 78 decibels, but Thomas claims he has personally recorded them reaching 115 decibels. This would be the typical volume of a rock concert.
However, rules could be made stricter after a rise in complaints prompted a consultation to be opened earlier this month.
Locals have also said that the council has not enforced these measures enough. Others, however, disagree and say it is “just part of life here”.
Jonathan Manning, who is representing the council, says that buskers do not amount to a nuisance under law.
He told the court: “To pursue the authority as the owner of the land, it is necessary for Global to prove that the person responsible for the nuisance cannot be found.
“Yet their evidence proves the opposite. In the reports provided by Global of their own monitoring attempts of the buskers, specific buskers are named frequently and in live evidence Global’s witnesses made it clear that they know some buskers so well they can sing every word to their sets and know the order of songs.”
A Westminster City Council spokesperson said: “The council has to strike a balance, minimising disruption to our residents and businesses while allowing street performers to continue entertaining the city’s visitors as they have throughout history.
“Our City Inspectors and Environmental Health teams work closely with the police to address noise concerns and will continue to seize equipment or prosecute individuals when necessary.”
The verdict will be delivered next month.
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