Tougher restrictions could be on the cards for buskers after noise complaints from town centre shopkeepers.
Buskers souping-up their performance by plugging into amplifiers and belting out songs at “ever increasing, irritating volumes” to draw in donations – are causing a headache for some people running businesses.
An unidentified complainant, describing themselves as a resident and business owner, has written to Keswick Town Council to point out the town was now attracting a “new generation of buskers” bringing noisy amplified music with them.
While tolerating acoustic buskers, the complainant wrote: “My issue is with the continued use of amplifiers at high levels of volume – mainly by one particular person. We, as shopkeepers and businesses have to endure this constant, daily irritation to our daily working life.
“We have a right to peace in our workplace as anyone else.”
Earlier this month, a busker connected his amp at a local pub and could then be heard a significant distance across the town, sparking complaints.
Keswick Town Council has confirmed it has received several objections to amplified noise and plans to discuss the matter.
Eleven permits have been issued for busking in Keswick since January 2021 alone, with players encouraged to abide by a code of conduct, although it is unenforceable.
Mayor Alan Dunn has said shopkeepers should not be disturbed and that the 2018 code needed reviewing.
Cllr Dunn said it was important that buskers followed the code of conduct, adding: “To be fair most of them do.”
Compiled four years ago, he said the code needed to be looked at again as more and more buskers appeared in town because of the generosity of visitors. “We cannot allow buskers to be annoying to our shops and businesses which they now seem to be doing. Our office staff cannot spare the time to monitor them as it would almost be a full-time job.”
He added: “I’m personally pleased that the didgeridoo man has not appeared back yet this year.”
Vivien Little, clerk to the town council, emphasised that it had no powers to enforce any rules around busking.
She said its code of conduct was “guidance” and the hope was it was respected and had been drawn-up to foster good relations between entertainers, the public and shopkeepers.
The code of conduct states that “moderate amplification” is allowed, but loud music should not be played and the volume kept to a level in-keeping with the tranquillity of the Lake District National Park, Mrs Little explained.
In advance of appearing in Keswick, busker Diana said she checked the permit situation with the town council and completed an official form and fully respected the rules.
She said buskers helped brighten people’s day and anyone who did not like the song could always walk by. Some people stopped and talked and a busker might be the only person they spoke to all day.
Diana said: “Some buskers do use looping pedals which means they have to have amplification – I don’t. I love busking and you feel like you’re doing something really nice for people. I’ve been practising my music for the last 16 years. You should be respecting the public, the shopkeepers and other buskers.”
Buskers also faced costs of travel and parking in Keswick, she added.
