• Reams of red tape and a myriad of confusing rules could force talented buskers off London’s streets, the Mayor Boris Johnson has warned as he launched a new campaign to nurture the capital’s street musicians.

• There is no doubt that live music on our streets adds to the city’s vibrancy, but I fear some parts of the capital could become no-go areas for buskers. Rather than shackling our musicians with unnecessary bureaucracy, we should treasure the spontaneity they bring to our high streets and town centres.

Since Boris Johnson launched his campaign to make London the most busker-friendly city in the world in 2014, a lot has happened.

As we feared at the time what has happened has been entirely the opposite. What has been supported and nurtured is a sanitised, regulated, corporate  version of street performance, whilst genuine grassroots busking has been systematically marginalised and  criminalised.

The sad fact now is that there is virtually nowhere viable and open to busk in central London.

Barking and Dagenham no restrictions.

Barnet

Bexley  Claim that busking is licensed. We are unaware if legislation has been passed and need to follow this up.

Brent

Bromley

Camden license now only applies to louder acts, circle shows and groups

Croydon

Ealing

Enfield

Greenwich has now introduced licensing in Greenwich and Woolwich town centres. Other areas open as normal.

Hackney

Hammersmith and Fulham- PSPOs banning amplification in Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush 

Haringey

Harrow seems to have a PSPO in place requiring permission from the BID to either busk or use amplification (not clear which) and only in Harrow town centre area.Clarifiaction requested but not received.

Havering open. Successful campaign against PSPO in Romford.

Hillingdon Licensed with only 4 locations available.

Hounslow “If a busker or a group of buskers act in such a way as to cause a nuisance to Passers by, then they will be asked to cease and leave the area.”

Islington

Kensington and Chelsea operate an extremely complex PSPO regime.

Kingston upon Thames Guidelines

Lambeth

Lewisham

Merton

Newham

Redbridge 3 ‘designated” pitches in Ilford town centre. Otherwise uncontrolled.

Richmond upon Thames

Southwark

Sutton

Tower Hamlets PSPO in Brick Lane prohibiting busking after 9pm. Possibly rescinded.

Waltham Forest

Wandsworth

Westminster