Business promotion and activities in Leeds City Centre

Buskers and street performers code of practice for Leeds City Centre

Be a good neighbour

Please take into account other city centre users when performing. Introduce yourself to neighbouring businesses before you start.    

Be safe

Ensure that your act is safe, both for those taking part and members of the public around you. Make sure people can’t trip over your equipment. If your performance draws a crowd, make sure that pedestrians or vehicles can still get past. For some larger performances, Leeds City Council may require you to provide a risk assessment.    

Keep the volume down

Keep amplification at reasonable levels – use a small portable, battery powered amp if needed. Don’t bring generators, and don’t elevate amps/speakers off the ground. Comply with requests from Council Officers, Police Officers, the public and businesses, if they ask you to turn it down.    

Vary your repertoire

Repetitiveness can be annoying and intrusive to nearby business and shopworkers. Take regular breaks to ensure those around you also have a break.    

Move location every 2 hours

We know it’s important to get a good pitch. However, we recommend moving every 2 hours in order to share the pitches with fellow performers, and to minimise the impact of your performance on any particular business or location.    

Private land and sensitive locations

This code of practice only covers public land. You cannot busk in private land – like shopping centres – unless you have permission from the land owner.    

Be respectful of other events and activity

Please respect formally organised events and keep your distance from those.    

Be genuine

Don’t fool customers by giving the impression that you are playing an instrument, when you are not.    

Leave room for others

Don’t block doorways, pavements or fire exits. Leave at least 50 metres between you and the next busker or street performer. Be sensible about the location of your pitch.    

Don’t spread out

Keep your pitch as small as possible and keep it tidy.    

No animals

Animals must not be used as part of any performance.    

Donations and sales

Busking and street performing does not involve a formal sales transaction because donations are given to buskers or street performers voluntarily. Likewise, the sale of any associated goods like CDs must only on the basis that the donation is entirely voluntary. The fact that any contribution is entirely voluntary must be made clear to prospective purchasers. If it is not made clear, Council Officers may insist that you remove those items from display.    

Copyrighted music

Buskers must hold a Performing Rights Society (PRS) music licence in order to lawfully play copyrighted music in public. The licence gives legal permission to play copyrighted music for prolonged periods of time.    

Be family friendly

Leeds is a family friendly city. Ensure your performance is appropriate for all ages.    

Legislation

Noise Nuisance legislation is in place and Council Officers will continue to monitor the impact of noise nuisance and take action where appropriate.   

As per Government Guidelines children under the age of 14 are not allowed to busk.   

Children over the age of 14 considering busking in Leeds should be accompanied by a parent or guardian and should not busk during school term time.   

The formal sale of goods and services is covered by Street Trading legislation in Leeds City Centre. Busking and street performing do not involve a formal sales transaction because donations are given to buskers or street performers voluntarily.    

For more information about busking and street performing in Leeds, contact City Centre Management on 0113 378 6646 or email city.centre.managem@leeds.gov.uk. 

City Centre Management is part of Leeds City Council.   

Leeds City Council and partners employ a range of on-street uniformed officers. Please comply with any requests from a uniformed officer.