Colchester Town Centre Busking and Street Performance Code of Conduct

Busking and Street Performing enriches the City Centre experience.

The Code of Conduct is based on existing practices and feedback from local performers and local businesses. The Code of Conduct should be a point of reference for performers, council and police officers, business owners, residents and the general public.

1. Noise

• 1.1 Be neighbourly. Check your volume levels with local businesses/passers-by before beginning your performance.
• 1.2 The use of PA or other amplified systems associated with a performance should only produce noise that's reasonable background when heard from more than 30 metres from where the performance is taking place.

• 1.3 If the volume is deemed too loud and causing a nuisance, the performance should be moderated or stopped.
• 1.4 If challenged, bear in mind that what may appear acceptable to you and your transient audience, is a very different experience for residents and businesses in a fixed location.

2. Collecting money

• 2.1 The principle of street entertainment and busking is for the public to voluntarily donate money as part of the performance, therefore under no circumstances must an approach be made to the general public to encourage them to donate money.
• 2.2 If collecting money for charity, a street collection licence must be obtained first. In no other circumstances should a street entertainer or busker advertise that they are entertaining on behalf of a charity, cause, organisation or group.

3. Performance quality

• 3.1 There must be sufficient variety in the performance with no repetition of material within a set.
• 3.2 There must be an acceptable degree of musical competence - the performance must be melodic, in tune and in time.
• 3.3 Single-tone rhythmic performances or one piece of music played over and over again are not acceptable.
• 3.4 Performers are required to be skilled and experienced when incorporating props in their performance. They must have an understanding of, and a commitment to safety for the public, themselves and the environment.

4. General

• 4.1 No busker or street entertainer has the right to any location.
• 4.2 Busking for more than 1 hour in any one place is not permitted, unless you have prior consent from surrounding businesses.
• 4.3 Busking should not be repeated in the same location within three hours from the end of the performance.
• 4.4 Generators are not permitted.
• 4.5 Performers must not cause any congestion outside shop fronts or public walkways, either with their performance set up, or by a crowd attracted by the performance.
• 4.6 Performers must ensure that the content of their performance does not cause offence to members of the public and appeals to a wide range of people including children and families.
• 4.7 No performances may be given by a performer whilst under the influence of any intoxicating substance.
• 4.8 No vehicles are permitted on site.

5. Health and Safety

• 5.1 Each Busker/street performer is recommended to hold Public Liability Insurance to a minimum of £2 million cover.
• 5.2 All performers are recommended to conduct a risk assessment for their activity.
• 5.3 Performances should not contain anything that might place a person or property at risk of harm or damage. Performers must consider and take responsibility for public safety at all times when performing.

6. Legal

6.1 The laws that apply to busking or street performing are:

• Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Highways Act 1980

6.2 These laws help prevent:

• cause or promotion of a public disturbance
• blockage of pathways, fire exits or impediment to traffic
• hinderance or prevention to the passage of any emergency service or personnel

6.3 We reserve the right to vary the Code of Conduct at any time, based on feedback from stakeholders.

Stakeholders include, but are not limited to

• local businesses
• local residents
• performers
• council officers
• enforcement officers
• Lion Walk and Culver Square staff and security teams
• Our Colchester Ambassadors
• Musicians Union
• Essex County Council
• Essex Police and Colchester City Council