Busker and street entertainer consultation starts
Guidelines designed to encourage responsible busking and street entertainment in Birmingham city centre have gone out to a period of public consultation starting today (May 16).
The aims and principles are captured in a draft document, which has been drawn up by Birmingham City Council in conjunction with Equity, Keep Streets Live and the Musicians’ Union.
Production of the draft follows an announcement by the city council in 2015 that earlier proposals for a Public Space Protection Order were being shelved in light of an earlier period of consultation, in favour of a more collaborative approach to the subject.
Jacqui Kennedy, Acting Strategic Director for Place at Birmingham City Council, said: “Buskers and street entertainers are a vital part of the fabric of our public spaces in the city centre.
“We want to ensure the performers have a clear set of principles that enable them to entertain the many people who come into the city centre, whilst respecting the needs of others such as traders and residents.
“This draft guide, developed thanks to support and input from Equity, Keep Streets Live and the Musicians’ Union, hopefully strikes a good balance for all. We urge everyone with a view to have their say so we can get this right.”
Consultation responses can be made via the council’s Be Heard Portal via this link: Busking Voluntary Guide Consultation
. The deadline for responses is June 24 and a final document, taking into account all feedback, is expected to be formally approved later this year.
For more general information on this issue, visit: www.birmingham.gov.uk/streetentertainment
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