Back to City Guides
North West England

Chester Busking Guide

Cheshire West and Chester Council welcomes busking and has developed a Code of Practice with the Chester Buskers Association.

Quick Facts

No Permit Required

For general busking

Volume Control

Below ambient noise

Be Considerate

Share pitches fairly

Official Guidance for Busking in Chester



Council: Cheshire West and Chester Council

Permit Required: No – busking is unlicensed (unless performing for charity)

Code of Practice



Chester has a Code of Practice developed in partnership with the Chester Buskers Association. The approach is based on community response and consideration.

Key Rules



  • Fixed Pitches: None – choose locations considerately

  • Location: Avoid blocking pavements and respect shop displays

  • Volume: Keep volume just above ambient noise

  • Amplification: Must stop after 9pm

  • Movement: Move after performing, do not return to the same pitch for at least 2 hours

  • Repertoire: Vary your material, take breaks, don't repeat the same songs

  • Selling Goods: Requires a separate street-trading permit


    • Contact



    Email: busking@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

    Official Resources



  • Busking and Public Speaking

  • Busking in Cheshire West and Chester (PDF)

    • Official Resources

    Official Guidance
    Busking Guide PDF

    Disclaimer

    This information is compiled from official council sources for guidance purposes. Rules may change and we recommend checking with the local council directly for the most up-to-date regulations. Keep Streets Live is not responsible for any enforcement actions resulting from busking activities.

    All City Guides Resource Hub FAQs
    Keep Streets Live

    Cookie Preferences

    We respect your privacy

    We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, analyse site traffic, and understand where our visitors are coming from. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy.

    Essential Cookies Required

    Required for the website to function properly. Cannot be disabled.

    Analytics Cookies

    Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. Includes Google Analytics.

    Marketing Cookies

    Used to track visitors across websites to display relevant advertisements.