ePetition - Support Brighton Buskers: Designated Spaces, Amplification and Shelter

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Support Brighton Buskers: Designated Spaces, Amplification and Shelter

We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to 1-)Officially designate the area around the Upside Down House on Brighton seafront as a permanent busking zone, 2-)Permit amplification and percussion instruments at this location, 3-)Encourage/Advise local shops and businesses nearby they need to be busker-friendly, 4-)Create additional designated busking spots across Brighton & Hove. particularly along the seafront, in The Lanes and throughout the city centre, ideally with simple shelter structures (like a canopy or overhead cover) to help protect performers from the weather. Brighton is known for its creativity, openness, and vibrant street life. Street performance brings culture, joy, and atmosphere to our public spaces and should be supported, not suppressed.

Recently, a restrictive sign was installed at the Upside Down House prohibiting the use of amplifiers, drums, and warning of potential seizure of instruments. This approach silences creativity and goes against the spirit of our city. Busking (especially in open-air spaces like the seafront) requires amplification to be heard. Banning drums unfairly excludes entire musical styles and performers. We ask Brighton & Hove City Council to take a positive and proactive approach by supporting buskers through dedicated spaces, fair rules, and thoughtful design. Other cities, like London (through the "Busk in London" initiative), have installed small structures like "The Shell" to offer performers and audiences a focused, protected environment, a model we could adapt locally. Let’s keep Brighton a place where music is made, shared, and celebrated in public; not pushed away or silenced.
Let Brighton Play. Support Street Music.Shelter the Artists. This petition simply aim to preserve and support Brighton's street music culture. The Upside Down House has become a key location for busking, but current restrictions are discouraging performers. We are asking the Council to recognize this space officially, allow for appropriate amplification and drums, and to provide additional designated busking spots across the city (ideally with some shelter to protect buskers from the weather).
Providing structured and supportive spaces for street performance benefits both the local community and the city’s cultural identity. Let’s follow successful examples from other cities and ensure Brighton continues to thrive as a hub for creativity and live public music.

This ePetition ran from 11/07/2025 to 12/10/2025 and has now finished.

592 people signed this ePetition.

Council response

Response provided by the Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage & Tourism at Full Council on Thursday 13 October 2025:

Thank you for your petition and the support you’re demonstrating for buskers in our city. As an administration, we agree with the sentiment that the council should support the cultural and social value of street performance. Street performance enriches public spaces by fostering inclusivity, accessibility and cultural vibrancy, offering a free and
democratic platform for artists to develop their craft and audiences, and engage live art regardless of background or ability.

Supporting buskers in Brighton & Hove strengthens the city's cultural brand, encourages economic activity and builds a stronger emotional connection between people and place. However, our approach needs to balance with the need to monitor noise and amplification of noise. These considerations are assessed under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as extended by the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act of 1993.

Local businesses near the upside-down house have reported disruption due to prolonged and loud performances. Concerns include difficulty communicating with customers, reduced dwell time and negative impacts on the trading environment. While many traders support street performance in principle, they have requested clearer enforcement of existing rules to maintain a balance between cultural activity and
commercial viability.

Brighton & Hove City Council operates a voluntary code of conduct for buskers. This includes no use of amplifiers or drums, one hour performance limits per location, avoiding obstruction of public highways and performing only between 10am and 10pm. Whilst not legally binding, performers are expected to follow this guidance to avoid causing disturbance.

The upside-down house area is acoustically sensitive and adjacent to both residential flats and commercial units. Signage prohibiting amplification and percussion was installed following repeated complaints and enforcement challenges. No license is required to busk, but buskers are expected to play at a reasonable volume and avoid using amplifiers unless specifically permitted.

While the Council supports the cultural and social value of street performance, we also need to consider this along with the interests of residents and businesses. The current voluntary code of conduct, supported by local bylaws and national legislation, remains the most appropriate framework for managing busking activity in Brighton & Hove.

In response to this petition, I have asked the team to further review the situation and respond in more detail to the point.

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