Equity has welcomed Westminster City Council’s appeal to the Crown Court against the sentence imposed by the District Judge regarding busking in Leicester Square.
According to the council, their “view is the effect of the abatement order is too restrictive in controlling all buskers for the whole of Leicester Square and instead should have been limited to the single amplified pitch that was the basis of the Global Radio case.”
Since the ban in April, Leicester Square has lost its vibrancy and it is evident that the entertainment is sorely missed.
Michael Day, Equity Variety official
Responding to the appeal, Michael Day, Equity Variety Official, says:
“Equity welcomes the decision by Westminster Council to appeal against the court ruling to ban busking in Leicester Square. After the ban was announced in April this year, Equity called for the reinstatement of pitches for acoustic or ambient acts or those with lower levels of amplification. We therefore hope that the appeal is successful and once again performers will be able to use this vital space to entertain audiences and maintain their livelihoods.
“Since the ban in April, Leicester Square has lost its vibrancy and it is evident that the entertainment is sorely missed. It is clearly possible for entertainment to co-exist alongside the interests of businesses and residents and we look forward to a positive outcome.”
