Street performers at Covent Garden in London are celebrating five decades of entertainment in the iconic piazza.

This location stands out from others across the city because it has traditionally not required any licenses or permits for performers to secure a spot.

In 2021, Westminster City Council implemented a borough-wide initiative, but the Covent Garden Street Performers Association (CGSPA) opted to remain independent, favoring self-regulation.

Aicha Less from the council mentioned that licensing is intended to ensure “equitable treatment for all performers” and expressed a desire to collaborate with CGSPA in the future to create regulatory guidelines.

For half a century, these artists have successfully operated without formal permits, programming staff, or external governance.

Melvyn Altwarg, a representative of CGSPA, remarked that the existing system has functioned effectively for many years.

“Covent Garden thrives because we established it ourselves.

“There was no need for a policy document – we figured everything out right here on the cobblestones.”

He continued: “We created our own method for rotating performance spots, arranging times through a lottery, and collectively addressing any disputes.”

The tradition of street performance in this square dates back to at least 1662, when Samuel Pepys noted a marionette show in his diary.

Notable modern performers who have honed their skills in Covent Garden include Cirque Du Soleil, STOMP, and Dynamo.

The regulatory framework introduced by Westminster City Council has generally been adhered to in other parts of the borough.

Recently, performers in Leicester Square faced a noise abatement notice classifying music from buskers as a statutory nuisance, likening it to “psychological torture.”

Aicha Less stated that the council supports “the incredibly talented street performers who bring delight to both tourists and local residents.”

She explained that the objective of regulation is to “balance the interests of businesses and residents while enabling street performers and buskers to continue their craft.

“There are no informal pacts with any performer associations, and our licensing system aims to establish a level playing field – providing fair treatment for all artists while allowing others to live and work without excessive noise or overcrowding.”