Street entertainers are being invited to showcase their talents at four outdoor performance spots in the city centre as part of a new pilot scheme aimed at boosting busking.
Busk Leicester, launched by Leicester City Council, will provide a simple online process for performers to book pitches at key city centre locations. The initiative is designed to support live street entertainment while ensuring performances are well-managed and accessible.
Picture credit: Visit Leicester
Four sites will be available for booking: High Street, East Gates, Belgrave Gate and Gallowtree Gate. Each location has been selected for its high footfall and ability to accommodate live performances with minimal obstruction or disruption.
The performance pitches will initially be available on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, starting from 4 March. Each site will feature distinctive Busk Leicester branding, along with quick-response links directing performers and the public to booking details and performance information online.
The scheme is open to entertainers from all backgrounds, offering a platform for established artists while also creating opportunities for newcomers to develop their skills and grow their audiences.
Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, said buskers and street performers play a vital role in the city’s cultural life.
“Buskers and street performers play a valuable role in Leicester’s cultural scene and can help make busy city centres vibrant and attractive places to visit and spend time in,” she said.
“We want to ensure that live street performance continues to be a feature in the city centre, and we want to do this in a way that helps make it a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone.”
Support for the initiative has also come from local music leaders. Yasin El Ashrafi BEM, founder and director of HQ Can (Creative Arts Network), a member of the Leicester Music Board and organiser of the Leicester Music Conference, welcomed the move.
“Music belongs in public spaces. Reintroducing busking to Leicester in a structured, bookable way is a really positive move for the city centre,” he said.
“It brings creativity and energy back to our streets while giving emerging artists a legitimate platform to build confidence and connect directly with audiences.
“I see this as part of the bigger picture. Busking has always been a vital entry point into the industry. I’m proud that Leicester Music Conference can support Busk Leicester and help embed it within a stronger music ecosystem for the city and wider region.”
Busk Leicester will officially launch with a programme of live performances supported by local music organisations including HQ Can, 2 Funky Arts and Studio79.
Booking for performance pitches is free and can be completed online at www.leicester.gov.uk/festivals.
