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A guide for street performers Hull is proud of its long tradition in street entertainment which provides colour, interest and vibrancy to its 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. To ensure that this valuable tradition continues to thrive, it is important that the city preserves good relations between street performers, the local community and businesses. Hull therefore operates a busking badge registration scheme for street entertainers, which is based on a balance between various statutory laws and local by-law which gives certain powers to members of the public. The scheme sets down minimum standards that can be expected of entertainers performing on Hull’s streets. All buskers should register under the scheme before performing in the city (for which there is a £10 charge). For an application form please visit www.hullcc.gov.uk, pick one up from your local customer service centre or information point or call 01482 300 300. This leaflet sets out the obligations of street performers and provides guidelines to help them perform in Hull. Following these guidelines will help you to get the best out of Hull and enable everyone to enjoy the vibrancy that street entertainers provide.
Choosing your pitch Certain areas of the city are more appropriate than others for busking, while some streets have by-laws in place which prohibit busking altogether. Buskers are encouraged to use the city’s larger areas, in particular –
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Paragon Interchange
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Parliament Street Trinity Square The bandstand in Queens Gardens Chapel Lane Staith (bridge opening in 2013) IP STRE WORSH ET
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Museums Quarter
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Some of these areas often host visiting markets and other events. If an event has been/is being set up in the area that you hope to perform, buskers must obtain permission from the event organiser before setting up. When choosing your pitch, please ensure you do not obstruct the flow of pedestrians, including pushchair or wheelchair users or leave objects on the footpath which may cause people to trip. You should also be mindful of the possibility of occasional moving vehicles in the area, being careful not to build up your audience in a position where they may come into conflict with traffic.
Sale of merchandise Please contact our events team on 01482 300 300 for advice if you wish to sell merchandise.
Busking for charities If you are busking for a charity, you must be able to provide evidence to confirm this (e.g. a letter from the charity confirming that you are busking on their behalf).
Amplification The use of amplifiers and backing tracks are only acceptable in Queen Victoria Square and the bandstand in Queens Gardens. Amplifiers must not be used in any other areas. In consideration of nearby businesses, we ask buskers who use amplification not to perform on more than one occasion between Monday and Friday. We ask users of amplification to remember that they are performing in a working city and to set their volume at a reasonable level. As a variety of factors can affect sound levels, it is difficult to provide a ‘set decibel’ for buskers to follow and we ask buskers to exercise common sense to
avoid disturbance to neighbours. If any issues do arise, a council officer will help you set your volume at a suitable level. Please co-operate with them and follow their advice on a suitable volume level for the future. Performers who repeatedly exceed previously agreed volume levels will have their badge withdrawn.
Safety and risk management We advise all buskers to think about public safety when planning and setting up their act. Hull City Council cannot be held liable for the activities of buskers and we advise all buskers to carry Public Liability Insurance (PLI). If granted a badge, fire-breathers or those undertaking ‘high-risk’ activities (e.g. circus/acrobatic) must have PLI (min £2m). Evidence of insurance, along with details of the risks involved in the act and how the performer intends to manage those risks, should be submitted along with the application form. If you need advice on safety management, please contact our events team on 01482 300 300.
Temporary Badges Temporary busking badges may be issued to buskers who only wish to perform in Hull for a limited period of up to 30 days (e.g. over the festive season or during a short-term visit). Temporary buskers should complete the usual application form but note that they only wish to apply for a temporary badge.
Conditions of the busking badge Please do: G G
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clearly display your busking badge when performing try to co-ordinate and co-operate with other buskers try to use recognised busking zones
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be considerate to neighbours when setting your volume vary your pitch from day to day move location after two hours stop busking if requested to do so by anyone who is inconvenienced or disturbed by what you are doing, or if asked by a police or council officer turn off any microphones if a member of the public or a council or police officer approaches you
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set up your pitch within 50 meters of another busker perform for more than two hours in the same location spread out equipment or other items so as to obstruct the flow of pedestrians busk near phone boxes, postboxes, doorways or cashpoints perform on Sunday before midday busk in an area where an event is already taking place without obtaining the event organiser’s permission actively solicit contributions. This is begging and you could be arrested/prosecuted if you do put pressure on another busker who is performing on your preferred pitch act or speak aggressively to people exercising their right to ask you to stop ‘reserve’ a pitch in advance of your performance (e.g. by setting down equipment early Sunday before midday) perform under the influence of drugs or alcohol behave in a manner causing or likely to cause a ‘breach of peace’ busk near to pedestrian crossing points
Buskers who breach any of the above conditions will risk having their badge temporarily withdrawn. Those who repeatedly breach these conditions may have their badge permanently withdrawn. Anyone considered to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol will be dealt with immediately and will have their badge withdrawn.
Advice for the public If you find that you are being disturbed by a street performer: G
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firstly approach the busker and explain politely that you are being troubled by their activity. You may find this difficult but often buskers are unaware of the problem they are causing and will be glad to do what they can to find a compromise check the performer is displaying/wearing a council issued busker’s badge (if necessary take note of the busker’s badge number) if the problem persists or you are unable to reach a compromise with the performer, contact our events team on 01482 300 300 and we will deal with your complaint as soon as possible if co-operation is not forthcoming, formal action can be pursued if necessary
Please remember to only donate to buskers displaying a busker’s badge which has been issued by Hull City Council.
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This document can be made available in other formats (large print, audio and Braille) and different community languages. Please telephone 01482 300 300. 2564
