The MU attended a council hearing on the issue, reporting that the new busking licensing policy was voted through by a 26 to 17 majority.
The new initiative states that buskers must pay for a valid licence or risk fines or having their instruments confiscated.
Dave Webster, MU national organiser for live performance, said: ‘It is a real shame that just a year after the Live Music Act was brought in to encourage the performance of live music that Camden Council has decided to bring in these draconian measures against busking.
‘Live music is an integral part of London’s identity and the onerous and potentially expensive requirements that Camden is placing on buskers will threaten the borough’s vibrant atmosphere.
‘We urge Camden Council to reconsider this policy and the MU would be happy to work with them to establish a code of best practice for busking, as we did in places like Liverpool,’ he added.
The new initiative states that buskers must pay for a valid licence or risk fines or having their instruments confiscated.
Dave Webster, MU national organiser for live performance, said: ‘It is a real shame that just a year after the Live Music Act was brought in to encourage the performance of live music that Camden Council has decided to bring in these draconian measures against busking.
‘Live music is an integral part of London’s identity and the onerous and potentially expensive requirements that Camden is placing on buskers will threaten the borough’s vibrant atmosphere.
‘We urge Camden Council to reconsider this policy and the MU would be happy to work with them to establish a code of best practice for busking, as we did in places like Liverpool,’ he added.
