Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling on Birmingham City Council to reverse its 'divisive' busking crackdown.
The council has controversially introduced a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in a bid to tackle ‘excessive noise levels’ in certain city centre streets.
A ban on using amplification equipment, musical instruments or other items used as instruments will apply in the streets covered. The plans were given the green light and came into effect this summer, with the council saying the noise issue was impacting businesses; residents trying to relax at home and landlords attempting to let properties.
But the proposals also sparked fears for the city’s cultural scene, as well as warnings that Birmingham risked becoming the country’s “least friendly city” for street performances if they went ahead unchanged.
An online petition, which slammed the council’s busking crackdown, has now been signed more than 700 times as of Wednesday afternoon, August 27. It was also shared on Instagram by The Libertines legend Pete Doherty, who grew up in the Midlands.
Black Country duo GANS, who launched the petition, said: “Considering that the city council has already completely defunded arts and consistently shows hostility towards any form of culture in the city, this draconian measure is increasingly making the second city a cultural wasteland.
“The issue is bigger than just the silence that the city will feel without music and performance.”
“Music is an integral part of a city’s culture and artists bring vibrancy and inspiration to the streets,” one person who signed the petition wrote. “It’s sad that in a society where this positive energy is needed now more than ever that this platform is cruelly being taken away.”
“I love going to other cities and listening to local talent,” another person added on Instagram. “Birmingham people should not be deprived.”
“One of the best things about going to Brum is the beautiful and varied talent you find when you have a wander about,” a second argued.
Lyle Bignon, Night Time Economy Ambassador for Birmingham, also urged music fans and professionals to “please get behind this petition”.
The PSPO will focus on noise associated with busking, street entertaining, street preaching and public speaking affecting people living in the area and businesses.
Areas covered by the order include Victoria Square, New Street, Temple Street, Cannon Street, Needless Alley and part of Waterloo Street. Labour cabinet members backed the plans at a council meeting last month, with Cllr Nicky Brennan saying: “I’m sure we’re all familiar with examples of walking through town when the noise levels are too loud.
“And we must remember for some residents who may have sensory sensitivities, this can cause increased anxiety, stress and mental fatigue.” Several businesses also backed the PSPO, with some describing how city centre busking was taking a toll on workers and driving away customers.
One shop worker claimed “prolonged exposure” to noise from a busker had led to headaches and stress among staff. “Our mental health is suffering immensely due to the constant noise pollution,” they wrote. “We believe that busking – when well-managed – can enhance a city’s cultural appeal and vibrancy,” another said.
“However, what is currently happening in Birmingham is not structured or regulated busking – it is, frankly, a free-for-all.”
A number of buskers have argued that compromises could be reached with one suggesting the council adopt a model similar to that of Busk in London with respect to basic licensing. But the council’s director of regulation and enforcement Sajeela Naseer said previously that London had a “specific piece of legislation which enables it to have a licensing scheme”.
“There is no quick and easy answer to these issues,” she said. “We need to balance the rights of residents and businesses against those who wish to make music and other amplified noise in the city centre.”
“The council is not considering introducing this PSPO without reason,” a spokesperson for the authority added earlier this year.
“We have received a significant and consistent number of complaints from both residents and businesses that there are too many people causing noise in the street and despite being asked to moderate their noise levels, there has been no respite for the affected people.”
It also said that enforcement arrangements had failed to deal with noise levels in streets outside of two previous orders and that it had received statements in support of declaring a “new, wider PSPO” from businesses.
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