Norwich may soon see fewer buskers under new guidelines

And the result will be fewer musicians and lower volume levels.  

A raft of new rules which could be introduced by councillors will slap limits on location, timing, duration and volume.

City Hall claims the new rules mean the buskers will "entertain, not disrupt" the lives of people living or working nearby.

Buskers should be prepared to lower the volume under new guidelines published by the city council (Image: Denise Bradley)

The regulations are in response to buskers being accused of being too loud with some market stall owners even claiming they were disrupting trade.

Now some buskers have raised concerns the rules could be used against performers who weren't part of the "Norwich clique" and force out new talent.

NEW RULES

The new rules say a busker's volume should be just above the background street noise without being intrusive, meaning amplifiers and microphones must be set to a low level.

They also state a busker can only perform on one pitch for a maximum of two hours and no two can set up within 150ft of each other.

Drummer Caddy Lee is supportive of the new guidelines (Image: Newsquest)

Performers with a "limited repertoire of material" may have to move locations instead of repeating their acts in the same place.

Additionally, buskers cannot obstruct pedestrian flow in the street and should be prepared to turn the volume down if requested.

READ MORE: Business sells portfolio of Norfolk properties to estate agent

But some buskers welcomed the news. 

Drummer Caddy Lee, who has been performing on the city's high street for more than three years, said: "It makes sense because you have to think about other people and not just yourself.

"So to that degree, we have to live with the people of Norwich and respect what they have to say.

The city has five key busking locations; St Gregory's Yard, St George's Street, Tombland, All Saints Green and Gentleman's Walk (Image: Norwich City Council)

"I try to keep it down anyway and watch my manners when setting up, knowing when it's my turn and when it's not."

Matthew, a saxophonist, said: "I think it's in the interest of everyone to be made aware of when people aren't having a fun time.

"People should be able to say it's too loud and I wouldn't have any problem with moving on as there's plenty of places to busk in the city."

But not everyone has been happy with the changes with one busker, who did not want to be named, previously saying he feared tighter rules could stop talent emerging.

Stallholder Callum Wiley said the change is positive for his business and others nearby (Image: Newsquest)

FOR EVERYONE'S BEST INTERESTS

The guidelines were introduced following a public consultation which gathered opinions from locals, businesses and buskers themselves.

A spokesman for council said City Hall supports the "vibrant" busking community and that the new rules have been put in place to protect shoppers and businesses.

Callum Wiley, from CJ's Fruit & Veg stand on the market, added: "The volume and repetitiveness of some buskers have been a little bit of an issue for us in the past as it's been difficult for us to talk to regulars.

"We're not anti-busker by any stretch but this is probably a good thing.

READ MORE: Will other Norfolk schools face sudden closure?

"It also allows everyone to have a chance if they maybe haven't tried it before."

Councillor Matthew Packer, one of the city's planning members, said: "Norwich's street performers are part of our culture and have a long history of entertaining on our streets.

"We listened to our residents, businesses and visitors and the guidelines are the result of great partnership working.

"We are very keen to hear what people think of our new guidelines and we encourage people to visit the consultation which remains open so that we can fine-tune and adapt as these take effect."

BUSKING BLUES

Unlike other cities in the UK, street performers in Norwich don't need a licence.

This has led to friction between the entertainers and small business owners in recent years who have claimed their trade has been hit by the "bully buskers". 

The new rules are now in effect (Image: Nick Butcher)

Calls for tighter regulation culminated in council intervention earlier this year when it was revealed a consultation was under way to decide the city's busking future.