Agenda item

The Director of Tourism; Culture & Inward Investment submits a report which provides an overview on the new BUSK Leicester pilot initiative, covering March – May 2026 and proposed next steps

The Director of Tourism; Culture & Economy submitted a report which provided an overview on the new BUSK Leicester pilot initiative, covering March – May 2026 and proposed next steps. 

The Head of Festivals and Events and Cultural Policy attended the meeting to help present and assist with discussions.

Key points included:

• The Busk Leicester scheme was introduced as a pilot scheme between March and May 2026 as part of the Heart of Leicester strategy. The aim was to create a simple, accessible and managed way for buskers to use appropriate city centre spaces while also balancing the needs of businesses, residents and visitors to the city. 
• An online booking system was implemented for local artists to book a space at various, defined performance locations. On the system, there were clear terms and conditions outlining the responsibilities of performers, covering issues such as noise and consideration for local businesses. The City Wardens and PSPO Officers were also given access to the booking calendar, so they were able to support the scheme. 
• During the pilot scheme, 117 bookings were made on the website and individual performers accounted for 80% of this. Gallowtree Gate proved to be the most popular site followed by High Street. A survey undertaken with artists and creatives showed that 92.3% of respondents believed Busk Leicester provided creatives with a space to perform in. A further 79% of respondents said they would use the scheme again, 76.9% of respondents agreed that Busk Leicester helped to animate the city streets, and 73% of the respondents said they were from Leicestershire.
• It was noted that Busk Leicester was still a pilot scheme and that lessons were learned throughout. A notable example was the movement of the busking positions on High Street following concerns raised by neighbouring businesses. The data from businesses was still being collated at the time of the meeting therefore conclusions could not yet be drawn regarding individual business experiences. It was commented that there were no concerns raised by the Police to date and they indicated that more supported location could improve the look and feel of the city centre and possibly discourage unregulated activity.
• The next phase was focused on refinement and evidence based development of the scheme. The revised 2 hour performance slots for artists were maintained and the work with Leicester music board was continued to permanently embed the Busk scheme into Leicester’s music scene. Potential new locations were assessed against audience potential, business impact and potential safety concerns. Highways were supportive and were involved in the planning as well as safety and road access issues.
• In summary, the scheme demonstrated demand, provided support to artists and creatives and provided practical evidence on how a managed busking scheme can work. The scheme also provided useful learning opportunities, feedback and a base to further develop the scheme in the future.

In response to member questions and discussion, the following was noted:

• Members raised questions regarding the nature of the booking system and if there were any costs for performers. It was advised that there were no booking fees for performers.
•  The Chair asked how the service balanced the needs of the artists and the business owners. The Head of Festivals, Events and Cultural Policy explained that in the initial stages the service engaged with businesses to understand their disposition and then progressed from there. It was commented that the service was responsive to business’s needs, but the business would have to make a reasonable argument, and a degree of trial and error was implemented.
• Members were interested to learn about the future of the project and whether they planned to expand outside of the city centre and incorporate other arts such as graffiti. The Head of Festivals, Events and Cultural Policy clarified that there were plans to expand outside of the centre and that they were using feedback from artists in the decision making. Regarding graffiti it was highlighted that the Council already had projects in place with Graff Werk which supported local graffiti artists.
• The topic of the booking schedule was raised by members and whether the service controlled the schedule. It was detailed that the system is left open to the artists, but the artists were unable to do block bookings. 
•  Members further asked how the service was managing artists who performed outside of the scheme. It was noted that they could not stop artists performing in other areas with acoustic instruments, but they would prefer artists to use the Busk scheme.  One of the main aims of the scheme was to address artists who were using amplifiers for their music as if artists used amplifiers in unapproved areas, then they would be in breach of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).  

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account by the lead officers.