Public asked for views on city centre busking

A local authority is asking residents and businesses to have a say on the future of busking and street performing in a city centre.

Oxford City Council said it would use the consultation results to inform a review of the city's Buskers Code of Practice.

It said the review would aim to "strike the right balance" between supporting street entertainment and the needs of local businesses, residents and public safety.

Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, who is the authority's culture chief, said buskers and street performers played "an important role in Oxford's cultural scene".

"We want to make sure they continue to entertain us in the city centre," he said.

Consultation questions included whether buskers should be limited to a maximum of 90 minutes and if speakers should be allowed.

Hollingsworth said the council needed to "make sure this is as positive and enjoyable for everyone as possible".

"This consultation will help us understand what is and what isn't working, so please have your say - tell us what's great and what could be better," he added.

The consultation, which ends on 17 March, will be used to create updated guidance for buskers.

This will "help set clear expectations, maintain high standards and create a welcoming and well-managed city centre", the council said.

The review is part of the Oxford City Centre Action Plan, which is aimed at identifying specific issues in the city and ways they can be resolved or improved.

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