Leicester Square busking suspended following noise row

Busking spots in Leicester Square are to be suspended from midnight on April 17, after a court ruling claimed the area was being subjected to "poor-quality" performances.

Pitches eight and nine in the central London hotspot will be banned from use for the foreseeable future, with all licensed and unlicensed buskers and street entertainers in the square to be impacted.

Those who break the suspension order could face penalties including a fine, seizure of their equipment, or loss of their busking licence.

It follows an Abatement Order issued by the City of London Magistrates’ Court on March 26.

Media company Global Radio took Westminster Council to court over busking earlier this year.

The employer had claimed that some of its staff were having to work in cupboards to escape the noise of outdoor performances.

A judge ruled in their favour, with the BBC reporting that he had said: "While the volume is the principal mischief, it is clear that the nuisance is exacerbated by the repetition and poor quality of some of the performances".

It is believed Westminster City Council will explore its grounds of appeal, with Labour member and council spokesperson Matt Noble saying: "Street performers are a much-loved part of our city’s identity, but we also have to balance this with a duty to protect residents and businesses. The court ruling gives us no choice – we now have a legal obligation to act.

"This is categorically not a ban on street performers in Westminster. Our next step is to comply with the ruling by suspending street performance pitches in Leicester Square, consider the court ruling and find a fair solution."