Busking activities in Leicester Square, a renowned tourist destination in London, have been suspended following a court ruling that deemed the performances a source of psychological distress for nearby office workers. As of Thursday, the ruling has led Westminster City Council to prohibit all street entertainment within the area until further notice.
The legal decision was made by District Judge John Law at the City of London Magistrates' Court, who argued that the amplified music played by buskers was so disruptive that it constituted a form of "psychological torture." The judge highlighted that the nuisance was intensified by the repeated nature of certain songs and the overall volume of the performances. “While the volume is the principal mischief, it is clear that the nuisance is exacerbated by the repetition and poor quality of some of the performances. As I observed in the hearing, the use of repetitive sounds is a well-publicised feature of unlawful but effective psychological torture techniques,” said Judge Law.
The ruling came after numerous complaints from employees at Global Radio, which houses popular stations such as LBC, Heart, and Classic FM. These employees reported that the noise levels were so overwhelming that they were forced to seek refuge in cupboards or use headphones to cope with the consistent disruption. Simon Thomas, the owner of the Hippodrome Casino, echoed their sentiments, stating that the incessant noise often hindered his ability to concentrate.
The court proceedings revealed that Westminster City Council had previously failed to address a "long history of complaints" regarding buskers, with council workers noting that their distance from the location impeded timely responses to disturbances. Office workers from Global Radio identified certain songs, including "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman and "Someone Like You" by Adele, as being played on an endless loop, contributing to the ongoing frustration.
Chris Harvey, a performer who has busked in Leicester Square for eight years, shared that artists typically have a limited performance time of 45 minutes, which occasionally leads to unintentional repetition of popular tracks. Another street performer, known as Jake G, suggested that many complaints raised in the legal case were attributed to unlicensed buskers who do not adhere to the council's regulations regarding noise levels and curfew times, particularly after the established deadline of 9pm.
The crackdown on busking in Leicester Square has prompted concerns over the impact on London’s street performance culture, which has thrived in various popular squares across the city.
Source: Noah Wire Services