Buskers in Hadleigh will be asked to comply with new rules so they can perform in the town centre.

Although the street performers will not need a licence, a new set of rules are due to be considered and adopted by councillors at a Hadleigh Town Matters meeting on Wednesday.

While musicians, magicians and mime artists will be among those welcomed to the town's streets, fire-eaters, knife throwers and wood-carvers will not be, just as fire and blades are prohibited to be used in acts.

Buskers have to be aged at least 14 and their acts must not use animals, the town's street lamps, benches or railings.

Only four buskers will be allowed in the town at any one time and should be in separate locations unless performing together and can only perform between 8am – 8pm, including set up and packing up.

Buskers are permitted to receive voluntary contributions from the public but the public should never feel coerced into giving them money.

They must not drink any alcohol or have any alcohol on display when busking and this includes before they start and when they finish their set.

Other rules include:

• Ensure that your equipment does not obstruct; the flow of pedestrians, trading stalls, fire exits, cashpoints or doorways.
• Do not leave equipment unattended as it may pose a risk to pedestrians. If unattended items are deemed suspicious/dangerous they may be removed.
• Once your performance is complete be sure to remove all equipment and waste produced by yourself or attracted crowds.
• Do not perform in a way that could pose a threat or danger to yourself or members of the public.
• Buskers/performers should assess the risk of their performances and consider whether it would be suitable to acquire public liability insurance (PLI) cover.
• Do not cordon off part of the pavement (e.g. with rope) to create a performance area. An additional crowd is likely to cause an obstruction and increase the likelihood of someone getting injured.

Rule breaking, or inappropriate behavior, can results in the street performers or buskers being banned and served with an exclusion order by the town council.

For more details or to report a busker, contact: [email protected]

*If you have a favourite Hadleigh busker or street performer please send us a video clip, photo or details of their act and usual pitch to [email protected]