There is an important meeting to be held on a Saturday morning at 10am in Bath Abbey Churchyard when Andrew Cooper (Manager of Bath BID) will address buskers about protocol and issues relating to the future of busking in the city. If you are a busker please spread the word around now so that as many people know about this meeting, the exact date will be confirmed on this website and on a leaflet posted on the steps of the redundant cafe opposite the Pump Rooms entrance at Abbey Churchyard. This message allows time for the word to get around to as many buskers as possible as communications are generally 'on the street', so please spread the word.

Busking in Bath is a freedom enjoyed by many but it only takes a few to spoil the party. As musicians we need to be aware that street performance is either regulated or banned in other towns and cities yet in Bath there is no licence currently, although there are now plans to change this as complaints to the council are mounting.

Some seasoned local street performers feel it would be a shame and that we have always regulated ourselves and this is the best way. The main issue is one of noise and it is not just local buskers who push the enveloppe but we as locals have a responsibility to try to influence any visiting busker who is simply too loud. The new leaflet clarifies the existing Code of Practice which also states avoiding repeat repertoires and more seriously not asking for money (donations can be accepted). A number of buskers have been displaying large signs selling CDs which is blatant street trading and utter madness as street traders have to pay for a licence and this will get us all into trouble! A blind eye has been turned by officials by allowing the discreet placing of a few CDs in a music case but this has now been abused by a few. Also the rules regarding booking pitches have been manipulated by a few local buskers by booking the two prime pitches at 10am meetings. This is unfair to buskers living further afield and is an established protocol here, again clearly stated on the Buskers leaflet. Any major changes to busking protocol would have to be done by giving plenty of advance notice to as many buskers as possible and a meeting set up involving the local Council as well. The Council made a major concession recently in allowing amplification (as a result of a few buskers offering to liaise with officials in a bid to regulate ourselves responsibly) . We need to excercise that responsibilty. Perhaps it will put things in perspective if buskers are aware that if you want to busk in the privately managed New Southgate shopping precinct and display your CDs, they will charge you a hefty daily fee for a licence!

A local busker