Hull is proud of its long tradition in street entertainment which provides -
- ambience
- colour
- interest
- vibrancy
to the city centre streets. The city plays host to an all year round programme of events and attracts a diverse range of street entertainers from around the world.
A licence is not required to busk in Hull, but we do ask that you take account of your surroundings and those people who are working, living and enjoying the city centre.
Guidelines
To ensure your experience is positive please take extra care to follow the guidelines before you perform.
No animals
Animals must not be used in any part of your performance.
Collecting money
Any financial contribution made by members of the public should be voluntary and at their discretion. You must not ask for money or make visitors feel that they must make a donation.
Charitable collections
Requests for donations for charity will require a permit from our Licensing Team.
Selling of merchandise
You must not sell CDs or other merchandise without the necessary street trading licence. If you intend on selling items, you will need to obtain a street licence to sell goods from our Licensing team.
You can offer CD’s and other merchandise on a donation basis so long as you clearly request a minimum donation rather than a fixed price.
Choosing your pitch
We have identified some busking sites that -
- have good footfall
- work well acoustically
- are central areas
that will create ambience and your performance. These areas are -
- Paragon Interchange
- Jameson Street / King Edward Street corner
- Queen Victoria square
- Whitefriargate (Beverley Gate)
- Parliament street
- Trinity square
- Chapel Lane Staith
These areas can be found on the busking map.
There may be other spaces you find to perform but please do speak with businesses nearby.
Ensure that your pitch doesn’t cause an obstruction to members of the public. If a crowd starts to gather, please ensure you have ways to diminish this if the crowd becomes too large.
Noise
Noise is unwanted sound. Whilst we want to support artists and allow you to be seen and heard we also have a statutory duty to investigate complaints of noise. Busking and street performing can provide a source of complaint to us so consider -
- your chosen spot
- proximity to buildings
- volume of your performance
- moving around regularly
so you are not disturbing people.
Complaints arise as a result of excessive noise and the repetitive nature of the music being played. This causes annoyance to businesses, visitors, and city centre residents.
Volume
You are permitted to use a small portable battery powered speaker/amplifier. This must not be elevated and must be located on the ground.
Only diesel-powered generators are prohibited.
Types of instrument
Brass and woodwind
Do not amplify brass and woodwind instruments and use dampers if required.
Drums and percussion
Drumsticks are not permitted unless you are using damping pads on your drum kit.
We are not liable for damage to your equipment.
Repetition
If you have a limited variety of material aim to give at least 30 minutes before repeating a song. Please move around different spaces as repetitive sounds can result in complaints.
Location
Consider the location of where you are performing. Hull city centre is of mixed use, which means it has both businesses and residential properties near the centre. If you are made aware of a complaint of noise please turn the volume down and consider moving from that location.
Do not busk within 50 meters of another busker or performer.
Time
You must not perform for more than 1 hour in any location per day. When you have performed for 1 hour you must move to another location at least 50 meters away from the original location.
You are allowed to perform during the following hours -
- Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm
- Saturday from 10am to 6pm
- Sunday and public holidays from 11am to 5pm
Enforcement
If for any reason the guidance is not being followed and a situation arises, we may interject with the following enforcement.
You must stop performing and/or turn the volume down if asked to do so by a -
- Council Officer from our enforcement team
- Police Officer
- Police Community Support Officer
- Hull Bid support officer
You must comply with any request to provide your -
- name
- address
- date of birth
to any Council Officer from our enforcement team, Police Officer, or Police Community Support Officer and not obstruct them when they are undertaking their duties.
Legal requirements
The Environmental Protection Act 1990
An Abatement Notice can be served for noise that constitutes a statutory nuisance. Contravention of an Abatement Notice is a criminal offence if convicted in the magistrates court and can lead to an unlimited fine. The Council can also seize noise equipment including musical instruments.
Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
Community Protection Warnings and Notices can be served by both Council and Police Officers when the noise is causing a detrimental impact on the quality of life of those in the locality, is persistent and continuing and is unreasonable. A fixed penalty notice of up to £100 can be issued, you can be prosecuted and if found guilty face a fine of up to £2,500 and your equipment can be seized.
The Highways Act 1980
The Highways Act 1980 relates to the obstruction of the public highway and a person found guilty is liable to a fine.
The Public Order Act
The Public Order Act includes a number of offences including harassment, alarm and distress.
Copyright 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.
Children and busking
It is illegal for children under the age of 14 to busk. Children over 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and should not busk during school term time.
Any act which is designed primarily to appeal to children under the age of 13 must have obtained the prior authorisation of us.
Advice for the public
If you have a complaint about a busker, you can use the below form to report this. This will be investigated by our noise nuisance team.