A new code of conduct for buskers and street performers in Altrincham town centre has been slammed. Trafford council introduced the code following a number of complaints from local businesses in an attempt to ‘ensure a balance between the needs of musicians, residents and businesses’.
The complaints centred around noise levels, performers allegedly disrupting business operations and on one occasion an altercation that required police attendance, according to a council report. The new standards are already in operation and include instructions for acts to perform at a reasonable volume, not cause obstruction, and only used reasonable amplified sound, drums or street furniture.
The authority held a public consultation on the plans last year which largely showed the public’s opinion was in favour of buskers performing, with amplifiers if necessary in the town. Altrincham HQ’s Alex McCann tweeted: “It’s a real backwards step. The results of the Trafford council consultation found clearly there was no need for a code of conduct. Why have consultations (at a cost to the tax payer) for them to be disregarded?
