Leicester Square Falls Silent as Westminster Council Suspends Busking After Court Ruling
Westminster City Council has officially suspended busking in London’s Leicester Square, following a court ruling that labelled the noise from street performances a “statutory nuisance.” The decision came after a complaint from Global Media, whose staff were reportedly forced to take calls in cupboards to escape the sound. A judge compared some of the busking noise to “psychological torture techniques” and ordered the council to act, triggering the immediate halt on both licensed and unlicensed performances.
While the council insists this isn’t a citywide ban, the ruling affects one of the capital’s most iconic busking spots. Performers and unions have pushed back, calling the blanket approach unfair, especially for silent acts like living statues. Others warned the ban will push overcrowding onto the remaining pitches, making it even harder to earn a living.
The council says it has a “legal obligation to act” but is still reviewing grounds for appeal. “Street performers are a much-loved part of our city, but we have to balance this with a duty to prevent disruption to residents and businesses,” said Councillor Aicha Less. For many, the silence left behind in Leicester Square marks the end of an era — and for some performers, the loss of both community and career.
