Pilot scheme aims to boost busking in city centre

Street entertainers will be able to reserve outdoor performance spots in Leicester city centre under a new pilot scheme aimed at encouraging more busking.

Performance pitches will be available in High Street, Belgrave Gate, East Gates and Gallowtree Gate through the Busk Leicester initiative.

Leicester City Council, which has launched the scheme, said the sites were chosen due to high levels of footfall.

The performance pitches, which can be booked online, will be available on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 March, the authority confirmed.

Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, said: "Buskers and street performers play a valuable role in Leicester's cultural scene and can help make busy city centres vibrant and attractive places to visit and spend time in.

"We want to ensure that live street performance continues to be a feature in the city centre, and we want to do this in a way that helps make it a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone."

The initiative has received support from arts groups in the city.

Dr Yasin El Ashrafi, founder of HQ Can and member of the Leicester Music Conference, said: "Music belongs in public spaces. Reintroducing busking to Leicester in a structured, bookable way is a really positive move for the city centre.

"It brings creativity and energy back to our streets while giving artists a legitimate platform to build confidence.

Amanda Leandro, founder of Cosmopolitan Arts, which organises festivals across Leicester, added: "Over the last few years the city centre's taken a bit of a nose dive, with some retail dying out and the cost of living crisis.

"It's great to animate the streets to have a great atmosphere, that people can access the arts in any way possible."

The performance slots will be free to book on the council's website.

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