Street entertainment - licensing

Southampton is a popular place for busking, lots of residents and tourists visit the city centre to shop and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

There are five authorised pitches in the city centre where buskers can perform and where people can enjoy and listen to them. The council is happy to have buskers because they liven up the streets. However, complaints can arise if the volume, duration and frequency of the noise is excessive for residents or local businesses.

Many passersby show their appreciation by dropping a few coins in a hat, knowing that Southampton buskers are licensed and legitimate Buskers are not allowed to sell anything as this would be street trading.

Do you want to perform in Southampton?

Authorisation for entertainment in the Above Bar pedestrian precinct and Bargate areas of the city centre is free and is available from us. You will need to fill in the application form (available below). Please note that authorisation for entertainment can only be given in the areas shown in the application form. Please allow a minimum of eight working days before the Entertainment Authorisation is due to start and ensure that the application gives exact dates. The completed application form can be submitted by email, but we will also need you to send us, address below, a signed hard copy as well.

For more information please contact us using the details below: