A musician has expressed concern that busking in central London is “gradually fading away,” highlighting that the reduction of traditional performance spaces is compelling many artists to abandon their careers and is detrimental to the cultural vibrancy of the city.

Currently, the sole designated busking site in Trafalgar Square is unavailable due to the Christmas market.

The Musicians’ Union has been advocating for performers to be allowed to share space with the holiday stalls.

Westminster Council acknowledged the importance of street performances but mentioned the need to balance various interests.

Serena Kaos, a musician, stated that she had ceased being a full-time performer after losing access to her usual busking spots.

“This represents a significant cultural loss, not just for today’s artists but for future musicians as well, particularly those from working-class backgrounds who relied on this as one of the few avenues to enter the field,” she remarked.

Simeon Scheuber-Rush, the union’s regional officer for London, noted that the closure has left musicians using amplifiers without an appropriate venue.

“We have the delightful Christmas market, but regrettably, it hasn’t accommodated the busking pitch,” he explained. “It has effectively shut it down. As a result, we find ourselves with no viable locations for amplified busking.”

Ms. Kaos emphasized that busking is “a vital aspect” of London’s cultural identity, but it is “gradually disappearing.”

This change follows a court decision affecting Leicester Square, once one of the city’s busiest hubs for live music.

After a legal dispute involving Global Radio and Westminster City Council, a judge determined earlier this year that amplified busking in the square constituted a public nuisance, equating it to psychological torture.

As a result, Westminster Council suspended all public busking within the area.

Mr. Scheuber-Rush remarked that the impact of this decision has been deeply felt by both performers and the public.

“Our efforts in Leicester Square have revealed that many members of the public are truly upset about the cultural loss resulting from the prohibition of busking in the square,” he noted. “They really miss it.”

A spokesperson from the council indicated they are striving to ensure that visitors, businesses, and buskers “all benefit from our city,” asserting that “street performances and busking contribute significantly to Westminster’s cultural richness.”

“We are committed to promoting opportunities for licensed street entertainers throughout Westminster that mitigate disruption while still allowing performances to continue,” they added.

The busking pitch in Trafalgar Square is anticipated to reopen in January, although there is no assurance regarding the future of busking in Leicester Square.