Norwich busking rules could be tightened amid complaints

City Hall is preparing to announce proposed changes that may bring in maximum noise levels and time limits for street musicians.

Officials hope to ease tensions on Gentleman's Walk, where traders and some buskers have long been complaining about the "antisocial" behaviour and loud volumes of others.

Unlike in other cities, street performers in Norwich don’t need a licence, providing they are not “causing a public nuisance” and can’t “be heard at a distance of 50 metres”.

Norwich Market traders have complained about the rising noise levels of some city buskers (Image: Newsquest)

But this relaxed style of regulation has been criticised by some, with shopkeepers claiming the behaviour and performances of certain buskers has been disrupting trade. 

Now, after months of complaints, Norwich City Council said it would launch a consultation into whether new guidelines should be brought in to address local concerns.

Singer Chris Preece, who’s been busking in Norwich for more than 15 years, has been leading the campaign for tighter regulation, and said without it, we could see the end of Norwich’s busking scene.

Singer Chris Preece, who’s been busking in Norwich for more than 15 years, has been leading the campaign for tighter regulation (Image: Chris Preece)
He said: “At the moment the guidelines are too vague, saying people ‘shouldn’t cause disruption’, which is clearly open to interpretation and exploitation.

“We need clarity on what exactly is acceptable, and for the council to enforce the rules with either fines or bans for those not complying.

“I know personally six or seven buskers who have been driven out of the city because they simply can’t be heard above certain other people.

“It would be tragic to lose the variety of performers because of a couple of people dominating the streets.”

But not everybody agrees.

One busker, who didn’t want to be named, said he feared tighter rules could be used against performers who weren’t part of the “Norwich clique”.

He added: “The freedom buskers have here is unique and brings people in from across the country.

“If you start policing peoples’ right to perform, you’re going to drive people away. And wouldn’t that be a shame.”

The council has declined to comment but a consultation on proposed changes is expected shortly.