Places in the South East where a licence is needed to busk, or performers are required to adhere to a council code of conduct:

Basingstoke – There may be restrictions – check with Contact Centre on (01256) 845474.

Brighton & Hove – Responsible buskers are welcomed by Brighton & Hove City Council. Local bylaws mean buskers can be asked to stop on request if the council or police receive a complaint. Please note that drumming is not supported by the council. Anybody may ask a busker to stop if they are disturbed by loud, continued or repeated singing or playing of instruments with amplifiers. More information – www.brighton-hove.gov.uk.

East Hampshire – If a premises licence permitting busking is not held for the area you may need to give a Temporary Event Notice and pay a fee of £21. To check if this is required, contact the licensing team on 01730 234389.

Eastbourne – A Premises Licence or Temporary Event Notice is needed for busking and street entertainment in Eastbourne. Licences can be applied for online at www.eastbourne.gov.uk.

Gosport, Hampshire – A licence is required, along with Public Liability Insurance up to £5m. The council has also published a vastly complicated code of conduct for licence holders – to try your hand at deciphering this have a read here.  

Horsham – A licence is required for busking in the town centre. Application forms can be downloaded from www.horsham.gov.uk.

Oxford – Guidelines for buskers can be downloaded from www.oxford.gov.uk, and a licence can be obtained by taking a passport sized photo to the Reception, Environmental Health, Ramsay House, 10 St Ebbes Street, Oxford, OX1 1PT. For further information telephone 01865 252 556. Busking is only allowed in designated areas.

Portsmouth - A licence is required. For guidelines and application forms visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk.

Test Valley, Hampshire – No licence is required but buskers are required to follow a code of conduct.

Winchester - The council publish guidelines for buskers that can be downloaded from www.winchester.gov.uk.

Worthing - In general a ‘temporary event notice’ is required in Worthing to stage any kind of entertainment (including busking). However, the council have licensed a number of parks, gardens and streets in the town centre so you won’t need a licence to perform at any of these locations. To check where these areas are contact Sharon Clarke, the town centre manager on 01903 203 252.

Do you busk in this are regularly? Tried to perform somewhere and been turned away? If you’ve got any info about busking in this area that would be useful to other buskers, please leave a comment below.