OXFORD’S CODE OF PRACTICE FOR Busking and Most cases can be resolved in a polite way BEFORE YOU PERFORM if they are dealt with before they escalate Whenever you set out to perform on a street, and a formal complaint avoided. Legal Oxford welcomes busking and you join a community of street traders, powers will only need to be used if there shops, businesses, residents, members of the are ongoing problems. street entertainers, who for many years have public and other buskers. Before setting up, The Code of Practice has been developed consider the impact that your act will have been entertaining those who live, work and visit by representatives from the busking and on other users of the space. business community, Oxford City Council Sharing public space and cooperating Oxford, and are an important part of the city’s and Thames Valley Police. with others is important and a willingness to vibrant and multicultural atmosphere. talk to each other and come to a friendly agreement will usually resolve any problems. Don’t remain on the

same pitch for more Ask businesses to speak to you directly in the event that they have a problem, or need to than one hour. ask you to make any changes to your act. This should help create a good, cooperative relationship between you and the people If your act has over five members or is likely around you. It also makes it more likely that WHY DO WE NEED to last over one hour you will need to apply any future exchanges will be good natured. to the Events Team to book a space. Please A CODE OF PRACTICE? Always be polite to members of the public, note this will incur a cost and requires at members of the local business community Buskers and street entertainers share the least six weeks notice before the event date. and open spaces with everyone else and public officials in the event that who live, work, trades or who take time out Please refer to www.oxford.gov.uk/events someone needs to speak to you. Being in the city centre. Inevitably there is potential for more details. calm and polite will go a long way and help for conflict amongst all the different uses promote good relationships on the street. that people make of the city centre. WHERE TO BUSK WHAT IS BUSKING? These guidelines aim to support a culture Busking and street entertainment is allowed of consideration for others, compromise in a set number of fixed pitches in Oxford Busking or street entertainment is the and cooperation between buskers, local (see map) performance of , dance or street businesses, council officers and members theatre in a public space for the main Each spot has its pros and cons and these of the public engaging in useful discussions. purpose of receiving donations of money will change according to the time of day from members of the public. Buskers or Complaints about busking tend to apply and the season. A limit of one hour per spot street entertainers are not paid or hired to a small number of performers and has been set to allow all buskers and street directly for their performance. usually relate to noise levels, repetitive entertainers to have the opportunity to play performances or obstruction. in pitches more suited to their act. SELECTING YOUR PITCH Pitches in Oxford are available between Don’t busk outside 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. the hours of 9 a.m. Take care not to block highways or shop and 9 p.m. entrances and to allow plenty of space for people to walk past. Be aware of the time of day and the type of the pitch you intend to perform in and change locations if your act Don’t use street is unsuitable for that pitch on a given day. furniture as part of your performance. Don’t cordon off any part of the pavement, for example with a rope, MANAGING YOUR PITCH to create a performance Repeating a limited number of songs/ area as your crowd is performance pieces is one of the main causes of complaints. more likely to cause an obstruction and someone So moving between pitches after finishing might get injured. your performance, even if it is within the allotted hour, helps to make complaints If you are ‘sitting’ on a pitch (i.e. not less likely. Don’t use animals as part performing) and another busker wishes to play there, you should let them know when of your performance. Always choose your pitch with consideration Using animals as part of your performance you intend to start performing and they for other buskers and be willing to make is not allowed as this can be dangerous to should be free to perform on the pitch changes to your act. Don’t use street the animal and members of the public. until you are ready to start. furniture, for example public seats, lamp The sharing and swapping of pitches with Due to the width of the streets in Oxford, posts, railings, or perform in a way that other buskers is strongly encouraged in there are limited opportunities to perform could be dangerous to you or a member Don’t repeat material on Oxford; regular changeovers are part of circular shows (a street performance where of the public. creating a lively busking atmosphere. the same pitch or return a crowd is expected to gather and stay You can wait for pitches to become to the pitch within two until the finale of the show), or other acts available or agree to come back at a hours of leaving it. that require a wider area of space for their given time, but don’t forward “book” performance, e.g. street dance. Be aware more than one pitch in advance. of your crowd blocking the highway and the You are entitled to play for your whole hour effect on the businesses around you. even if someone is waiting for your busking pitch. Never set up ‘on top’ of another performer or put them under pressure to give up the pitch they are on. Always show consideration with the sound Remember that the sound from amplifiers If your act requires Don’t leave your level of your performances and its impact and louder instruments can carry further upon other users of shared spaces, and potentially generate complaints. performance space apply belongings unattended or including other buskers. Turning up the This has a lot to do with the way in which to the Events Team on they may be removed. volume can sometimes cause the sound they are played so consider adapting 01865 249811. you make to be distorted and unpleasant, your equipment. For example, use brushes causing annoyance. Be prepared to adjust and dampen drums, and mutes with your volume if asked. brass instruments. HOW LOUD SHOULD If your performance draws a crowd it is PERFORMANCES BE? Think carefully about the equipment you Take regular breaks between performances. use. Instruments and amplifiers that are Non-stop noise, however pleasant, can be your responsibility to ensure that people As a guide your level should be just above suited to the stage are not necessarily suited experienced as intrusive. Problems can be are able to move past you freely and the level of background street noise, but not to busking. avoided by moving between locations and that the crowd can be quickly moved or intrusively so. broken up if necessary. In the event that deal respectfully with requests to adjust the police or other public officials need to Every pitch has a different acoustic performances. dynamic related to the location, type of give information on safety concerns to the Don’t use mains or Remember that the streets and nearby sounds, weather, etc. which will all have gathered public, you are in the best position generator power for buildings are often homes and working an effect on the sound quality, travel and to pass information on to your crowd and to amplification. Any noise environments for others who might not volume of your performance. ask them to cooperate as needed. must not be intrusive. be able to move around in the same Avoid putting yourself on a footway or Where possible, agree a reasonable level way that a busker can. If backing music highway in such a way that could be with the businesses around you. You should is part of your act it should be secondary thought of as begging by passers-by. not use mains or generator power for and modest. If you’re not actually amplification. performing, please do not leave a You must not leave any belongings backing track running. unattended at a busking pitch as these Although a busker needs to be heard above may be removed for safety reasons. the level of background street noise within a certain range for their performance to be effective, often complaints made about busking are about how intrusive a sound is. Don’t position yourself This is not just about its volume.

on a footway or highway For example, performances that are in such a way that could repetitive in nature can seem louder than be thought of as begging they actually are and are more likely to by passers-by, council cause a disturbance. The location, time officers or the police. of day, duration of performances and crowd density are also important factors for consideration. If an agreement is not possible and if you are confident that you are abiding by these guidelines, politely inform the complainant RESOLVING ISSUES of this and that you are not able to make any further adjustment to your performance.

Make a written note for yourself of the exchange and what you said in case FOR BUSINESSES AND Do make other buskers you are asked about it later. Consider contacting Oxford City Council on 01865 RESIDENTS: aware of this guidance. 249811 if you require help. It is in everybody’s best interest to have good relationships with the other users of ENFORCEMENT shared public spaces. FOR BUSKERS: Where this Code of Practice is being If there is a busker near your place of work If you are approached by a resident or observed, enforcement action will not or residence and they are causing you a representative of a business who is disturbed be necessary; however, in the event of disturbance, make yourself known to them by your performance first consider whether a complaint that cannot be resolved and explain the issue politely at a suitable your performance conforms to this Code of between a complainant and a busker, interval in their act. In most cases the busker Practice. Try to reach an agreement; could a council or police officer may attend to THE LEGAL BACKGROUND: may not be aware that they have caused you adjust your location, selection and/or assess the situation. If they judge that the There is a range of legislation covering noise you an issue and will want to resolve it volume, or could you both agree the duration busker’s performance is not in line with generated in the street. For example, under quickly and amicably. Could the busker of your performance? these guidelines they will provide the busker the Environmental Protection Act 1990, adjust their volume or selection, agree the with the relevant advice, and ask them to where a statutory nuisance is being caused, length for their performance or could they amend their performance. They will also noise abatement notices can be served. relocate to another pitch if necessary? warn of potential future enforcement action. Breaching a noise abatement notice can lead to fines and the seizure of musical Making a formal complaint should If the busker refuses to amend their instruments and other equipment. not normally be your first step but if an performance or has repeatedly been in agreement cannot be reached, contact breach of the guidelines the officer may Under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 Oxford City Council on 01865 249811 and issue a legal notice, which may include a section 62 no amplification is allowed in any an officer will aim to help resolve the issue. fixed penalty notice. public place after 9pm and before 8am.

The officer will assess the situation as soon Buskers should be aware of sources of The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and as they are able. If appropriate, they will advice that they might go to in order to Policing Act 2014, allows council and police ask the busker to adapt their performance. discuss their performance, for example, the officers to issue a Community Protection Or, if they consider that the busker or street Musicians Union or Equity. Notice to people causing a nuisance. entertainer is reasonably obeying this Code Breaching a Community Protection Notice Enforcement action will only be taken as a of Practice they will let you know this. can lead to fines and the removal of last resort where performers have failed to musical instruments and other equipment. follow this guidance, as set out in Oxford City Council’s Corporate Enforcement Policy available on the council’s website. STREET ENTERTAINMENT OR STREET TRADING? Don’t sell CDs or other CONTACT DETAILS Street entertainment does not involve a merchandise. You may formal sales transaction because donations ask for a suggested All enquiries about these guidelines can be made are given to performers by members of the voluntary contribution. public on a voluntary basis. to our Community Safety Service at If the provision of goods or service is part of [email protected] your street entertainment it must be offered People wishing to trade on the street, on a voluntary basis and this must be made for example in t-shirts, CDs, arts or crafts clear to members of the public. It must where the main purpose does not involve USEFUL CONTACTS: also be a secondary aspect of your act a performance can apply for a street which means that people should be able to trading consent from Oxford City Council or THE MUSICIANS’ UNION (MU) engage with your act/performance without obtain a Pedlars Certificate from their local Established in 1893 and represents over 30,000 musicians working in all genres of music any obligation to make a donation. police force. including buskers. As well as negotiating on behalf of its members with all the major It must be highlighted that any donations Charitable Collections: Requests for employers in the industry MU membership includes a range of services tailored for the made are on a voluntary basis so that the donations for charity will require a permit self-employed including public liability cover and equipment insurance, providing product or service is an extension of the from Oxford City Council, St Aldates assistance for professional and student musicians of all ages. act itself and people are not obliged to Chambers, 109 St Aldates, Oxford, OX11DS Contact the East and South East England Regional Office on 020 7840 5537 make any contribution. For example, in or visit www.theMU.org some circumstances a member of the public may request a CD without making COMMUNICATION a donation. This should be made clear All the parties responsible for these EQUITY INCORPORATING THE VARIETY ARTISTES’ FEDERATION with an appropriate sign. We suggest the guidelines will review them from A trade union representing performers including actors, singers, dancers, street performers, following wording: time to time. circus artists, comedians and other entertainers along with the theatre creative teams and stage managers. Established in 1930, Equity has agreements with the major employers “In order to comply with street trading The council provide the opportunity across live performance, broadcast and film and has over 40,000 members. legislation these CDs (balloons, portraits for regular meetings with the busking etc) are not being offered for sale, any community to share information about Contact: South East office on 020 7670 0229 or visit www.equity.org.uk contribution you make is voluntary and at events, projects and other developments your discretion. Suggested contribution £x.” in the city centre and to consult them about all matters concerning the city EVENTS TEAM Where the above guidance is observed, centre. The council will use this forum to Our Events team is here to encourage, support and enable community, charity and and the provision of goods/services is clearly try to resolve any issues that arise. commercial events to take place in Oxford’s city centre spaces and parks. a secondary aspect of the performance, enforcement action under street trading All of the information you need to make an event application can be found on these legislation will not be taken; however, pages: www.oxford.gov.uk/events or contact 01865 249811 random audits will be carried out by council officers to ensure compliance. CONTACT THE CITY CENTRE MANAGER ON 01865 252080 OR EMAIL [email protected] BUSKING AND STREET ENTERTAINMENT LOCATIONS MAP

H I New Theatre Oxford Bus Station College of A Jesus International College Education CIE Oxford) B D NuffieldNuffield College College Oxford Union St Peter’s College Carfax Tower C E F F Westgate Shopping Centre Modern Art Oxford G

A Cornmarket Street/St Michael’s Street E Bonn Square (when no events taking (outside AMT) place - check Events Diary on Oxford City Council Website) B Cornmarket Street/Market Street (outside Vodafone) F Queen Street (outside M&S)

C Cornmarket Street/Carfax (Outside G Penny Farthing Place HSBC) H Gloucester Green/Old School House D Covered Market (11:00 – 15:00 I Gloucester Green/Friars Entry Fridays and Saturdays only)