Buskers and street entertainers in Derby City Centre
Voluntary code of practice
This Code of practice sets out your obligations and you are requested to comply with its requirements. In particular, it is important that you should avoid causing annoyance or disturbance by always having consideration for the general public and for the occupiers of premises in the City. You must also have regard to the needs and rights of the shopkeepers and other business proprietors.
  • Street entertainers are requested to apply to the city centre management for an audition. Successful applicants will be given an annual permit. Two passport photographs should be supplied.
  • The permit must be carried at all time when busking in Derby City Centre. Failure to produce a valid permit will result in you being asked to cease busking
  • You must not stand/sit, or spread out your equipment etc. so as to cause an obstruction of the highway (footpath), entrances/exits to shops and other premises, or to shop window displays.
  • You must not actively collect money, but you may have a receptacle (e.g box, hat or musical instrument case) into which you can accept donations from members of the general public in return for your performances. The receptacle should not be placed to act as an obstruction to passers by.
  • The selling of any merchandise such as tapes, CD’s and T-shirts is not permitted with this licence.

Any selling of CDs or supporting merchandise will require a street traders licence available from Dennis Wardle – 01332 255653

  • Amplifiers may only be used at very low/reasonable levels so as not to cause a nuisance and to allow other activities to continue unhindered.
  • Any loud instrument may be restricted to 45-60 minutes taking into consideration the views of surrounding businesses.
  • Any request by the police, council officers or representatives of adjacent properties to cease entertaining should be complied with.
  • Entertainers should not perform in a manner which may be considered dangerous to themselves or the general public, and shall not dress or say anything which is likely to cause alarm, distress or offence to a member of the public.
  • Street entertainers who appear to be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol will not be permitted to continue and will have their permit revoked.
  • Circus skills entertainers must have public liability insurance.
  • Any performance time for any area within the Centre has been reduced to 2 hours.
  • Any collections on behalf of charities must be supported by a street collection permit available from Kevin Moore – 01332 716338

The Police are aware of this voluntary code of practice and will take appropriate action against any entertainers who fail to comply with its requirements.

Derby City Centre Buskers and Street Entertainers Areas

1. Iron Gate in the open square adjacent to the Cathedral

2. Market Place Exhibition Area

3. Market Place – adjacent to the waterfall

4. Corn Market – adjacent to the seating near Marks & Spencer

5. St Peters Street outside HSBC

6. St Peters Street/St Peters Churchyard outside the church

7. St Peters Street adjacent to the clock tower at The Spot

8. The Spot above the toilets

9. East Street between St Peters Street and Exchange Street

10. Sadler Gate near the junction with Iron Gate


Amplified equipment may not be used on locations 1 and 6

No right to perform is inferred by this code of practice and it does not confer Indemnity from the Environmental protection Act 1990, Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993, Control of Pollution Act 1974 or Highways Act 1980.

For further information please contact

City Centre Management Derby

01332 415050