{"id":27764,"date":"2025-04-17T14:41:13","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T14:41:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/27764\/"},"modified":"2025-04-17T14:41:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T14:41:13","slug":"birmingham-city-centre-busker-crackdown-mapped-as-council-worker-loses-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/27764\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham city centre busker crackdown mapped – as council worker ‘loses hearing’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Birmingham City Council says ‘excessive noise levels’ in certain areas are impacting businesses and residents\"TheThe Birmingham city centre areas covered by the proposed PSPO<\/p>\n

More measures to crack down on busking and street preaching in Birmingham city centre<\/a> could soon be introduced.<\/p>\n

The city council<\/a> said it was considering the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to combat \u2018excessive noise levels\u2019 in certain streets.<\/p>\n

This issue has impacted businesses, residents trying to relax at home and landlords attempting to let properties within the city centre, the authority said.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong>Question over if Birmingham city centre ‘wants to go in New York direction’ amid major plans<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The council already has two city centre PSPOs aimed at controlling noise levels on the streets around residential accommodation, which are due to expire in August.<\/p>\n

But it acknowledged there had been an increasing number of complaints outside those orders and is consulting on the proposed declaration of a \u201cnew wider PSPO area\u201d in the city centre.<\/p>\n

Within the streets covered by the proposed PSPO, people would be banned from using amplification equipment, musical instruments or other items used as instruments.<\/p>\n

It would crack down on noise associated with busking, street entertaining, street preaching and public speaking affecting residential homes and businesses.<\/p>\n

Areas covered would include Victoria Square<\/a>, New Street, Temple Street, Cannon Street, Needless Alley and part of Waterloo Street.<\/p>\n

\"TheBirmingham’s skyline (Image: Martin O’Callaghan\/Birmingham Live)<\/p>\n

Justifying its proposal, the council said that \u201cexcessive noise levels\u201d were affecting businesses and residents in a range of ways.<\/p>\n

They included difficulties in communicating with customers, relaxing at home and having conversations over the phone as well as the impact on mental health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n

\u201cLandlords have reported difficulties in letting residential and commercial properties in the city centre due to noise levels,\u201d a consultation document said.<\/p>\n

A council officer even reportedly suffered temporary hearing loss when they approached an individual who was using amplification equipment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe majority of the recorded incidents were in the High Street and New Street area of the city centre where there is a significant footfall,\u201d the document said.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong>Birmingham \u2018will always have fantastic reputation\u2019 despite bins strike chaos, minister says<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cExcessive noise levels in this area are particularly problematic as the streets are relatively narrow with high-sided buildings either side leading to sound being echoed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAttempts to resolve this matter informally through a voluntary code of conduct and through engagement with individuals on the street have been unsuccessful.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, the proposed PSPO\u2019s prohibitions would not apply to the following:<\/p>\n