Calls to make buskers sign up or shut up

The Edinburgh Old Town Association says many residents have "horror stories" of late-night performers and believes it is time for formal action.

It could echo the London Underground Busking Scheme, where licences are issued for approved performers to play at marked spots on the Tube network at specific times.

The idea is floated in the association's latest newsletter.

It said: "The activities of buskers can become really intrusive if they are too loud, stay too long or are performing at late hours.

"Many horror stories can be told - people playing bongo drums, a loud persistent and monotonous sound, night after night at the same spot, a saxophone player performing at one o'clock in the morning, or a loud 'singer' performing a limited repertoire over and over again for up to three hours."

It says the "introduction of a formal busker registration process" might be a way forward.

Are you in favour of the proposed register to keep city buskers in check? Vote here

The idea has won the support of City Centre councillor Charles Dundas, who said: "I'd be open to exploring something like that, because I know particularly during the festival period, when things like the High Street and bottom of The Mound are regulated and organised by the Fringe Society, it means that other areas that are not regulated, like the Grassmarket, which has a big residential population, become more informal and more raucous versions of what's going on in the High Street.

"Something like this would address that and help look at the problem elsewhere."

However, community safety leader Councillor Paul Edie said he thought existing provisions were enough to deal with the problem.

He said: "On those very rare occasions where there may be a problem, the police have powers to deal with that and we see no reason to change the system or introduce new regulations."

A police spokesman said officers also felt informal warnings were sufficient.

"It is acknowledged that as a capital and festival city we attract many street performers. The majority give consideration when performing. However, experience shows there are some who have a disregard for others.

"Police have a responsibility to deal with noise nuisance as and when it is reported and it is proper that a complaint receives an appropriate level of policing response.

"Only in extreme cases should enforcement become necessary."

THE RULES

The Civic Government Scotland Act (1982) says street buskers do not need a licence.

Buskers do need a licence, however, if they are selling merchandise such as CDs.

Street entertainers need a licence to perform, and are defined as those performing street theatre.

The power to move buskers on if they are causing a nuisance lies with the police.

'I would not be concerned'

City musician Rob Young is a regular at busking hotspots around the Capital, including the Royal Mile.

Asked about a possible busking register, he said: "I don't think a register would take away from the spirit of it but neither do I reckon it will help.

"I wouldn't be concerned at all if it was introduced because I'm not sure what difference it would make.

"It seems to run smoothly on the Royal Mile at the moment anyway."