London to get first code of conduct for buskers

They entertain hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists on a weekly basis and now London‘s buskers are to get their own ‘code of conduct’ in a bid to improve their lot as street musicians. This was announced yesterday by Mayor Boris Johnson as he launched the capital’s annual competition for buskers.

Busking at Trafalgar Square in London Image by David Holt / CC BY 2.0

The new set of rules will cover where performers can and can’t busk as well as such things as money collection, complaints and dispute resolution is part of the mayor’s plan to make the street singing industry easier for all.

The Evening Standard reports that Mr Johnson went to London Bridge Tube station to launch this year’s Gigs competition, as the search began for London’s best buskers – aged from 11 to 25.

He further announced his plan for a National Busking Day in cities, including a staging at Trafalgar Square, and across the country on July 18.

The mayor said his aim was to make “London the busking capital of the world”.

The winner of Gigs is set to play at the grand final at Westfield Stratford City in the autumn. Among the prizes for the winners are a busking trip to Paris, a licence to busk on the Tube, recording sessions, coaching from professional songwriters and music college courses.