Some retailers in Wilmslow are fed up with street musicians who they claim are interfering with their business.
Ian Parkinson, manager of Vision Express on Grove Street, said "A lot of shop workers are suffering the annoyance of street musicians on Grove Street. I have contacted the Police and Council because when they are outside your shop door you can't trade properly and it interferes with business.
"The police moved them on and I have been advised to contact Diane Smith (Town Centre Manager at CEC) - apparently they have no policy in place to say what they can and cannot do. This is a bit frustrating, particularly as I was asked to move my A-board closer to my window last year as we are trying to make the town centre more appealing!
"I have discussed these players with other shop keepers and owners and the feedback is the same it's not real music, it's a constant din to quote one trader."
Ian added "You can't have the door open when they are playing and you can't trade properly - when I am on the phone to hospitals discussing people's details and there's 'Bare Necessities' blaring out on the clarinet.
"People keep asking if it gets on our nerves. It's not about personal taste but some of them cannot play."
Jodi Tann, Manager of Clarks, said "It really does affect trade. Sometimes it is so loud we turn our radio down and then the music stops and you find you are shouting at your customers.
"The Environmental Health Officer moved them on today but as soon as he was gone they came back. It's not just us, our customers complain as well."
Jodi added "I wouldn't mind if they learnt some new songs but when they are here for a full day I sometimes feel like throwing a shoe at them."
Sarah from another Grove Street store commented "They play the same songs over and over again and we've had a few comments from our customers saying I bet you get fed up of them.
"I know they are only trying to make a living but maybe they can move up and down the street as they are always in the same area. It is a bit annoying and I know the Police have been a few times to move them on."
Councillor Les Gilbert, Cabinet member in charge of communities and regulatory services, said: "Busking is deemed a non-licensable activity under the Licensing Act 2003. However, Cheshire East Council is aware of complaints about street busking and is considering how it can best address this issue to suit all parties."
What do you think about the street entertainers in Wilmslow? Share your views via the comment box below.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Please don't bottle up your ire to the point of explosion on an unsuspecting council or police offer where the reaction is to ban all busking. That would be a shame. In London do they have to prove themselves suitably talented in front of a panel in order to busk in the subway hotspots?
You should have a work policy. If you hear the same tune within the hour
you all go outside and pelt the busker with your lunch.
Don't get me wrong .. the guy can play .. but he only has 5 tunes!
I believe in London they regulate the busking and they are licenced to specific spots - and they are talented. However even in London you still get the same problem with talentless beggars roaming round the main tourist spots.
My sympathies are with the shop workers - it must be even worse at Christmas!
However I`d rather keep the buskers and get rid of the professional charity chuggers.
However I have a great deal of sympathy with businesses and their staff due to the repetitiousness of the music, provided you don't have your own piped music; then my sympathy evaporates.
I find it difficult to believe that takings are affected. When I'm in town I'm there for a limited time; not enough time for it to annoy, not enough time to hear repetitions. In fact, it gives the shopping experience some character, and the boring street some musical colour. Some days we're in Italy, sometimes Mexico, then Vienna.....
I think licensing would be best. Small administrative fee (or fee going to charity), specific and limited playing times. If they are not good enough, theoretically, shoppers won't donate. The best entertainers will rise to the top.
And, well said Sally. Charity hawkers are the worst. They really will affect business trade. If there is one outside a certain locksmith I will make a detour to the other one. (For locksmith read chemist/coffee shop/card shop/jewellers etc
A variety of instruments are employed, often without amplification. IMO they are no more beggar's than the legit Big Issue sellers or Charity collectors frequenting Grove St occ. Donations are at the public's discretion, based on product offered..
To avoid shop-worker discomfort from a continuous limited repertoire from a single 'al fresco' artiste, how about designating 2 ind seperate 'busker bays' in Grove St, one from Water L to Grove Av and other from Grove Av to Bank Sq, Max stay 1 hrNo return within 2 hr
Indeed some shops may then encourage buskers to pitch in front of their shop, as pedestriians may pause briefly to the music and observe the nearby shop windows
Can we licence performers? I'd suggest to obtain a licence they have to be able to prove they are registered self employed, be able to perform well and have a large enough repertoire not to induce local workers to self harm.