Edinburgh buskers have defended their contribution to the city's culture as the city council consults on a possible crackdown.
The authority is currently asking locals whether it should take action on excessive noise, hours of busking and the time performers have on pitch before they move on.
Edinburgh Live went down the Royal Mile to chat with buskers and found out their thoughts on the consultation and the possibility of more restrictions being introduced.
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Edinburgh resident Mathew, 36, a magician who regularly performs on the Royal Mile, said: “I think existing legislation is strong enough to deal with the odd anti-social busker. It can be very tough to earn a living on the streets dealing with weather and other interruptions as it is. Further legislation would make it even harder.
"Most of the performers and musicians on the streets of Edinburgh are honest hardworking people who enjoy brightening up people’s days and enhancing the culture of the streets. Many of us already spend many hours talking to young and new buskers, advising them on volume and locations to ensure they don’t upset local residents. We get on well with local businesses on the Mile and many of the local residents are our friends.
"I hope Edinburgh Council chooses to continue celebrating the artists and culture that make Edinburgh so welcoming rather than kill it off with draconian legislation. It’s one of the reasons I moved here. I’d be very happy to meet the councillors on the committee looking at busking, and discuss how we can ensure the street culture is fair, open and friendly to all residents, visitors and buskers.”
James James, 60, a professional street magician has travelled the world performing, he said: "I honestly think that the legislation that exists is sufficient enough to deal with what we have.
"I do agree with my colleagues that there are nuisance people out there but there are nuisance people in all walks of life and industries. There is already legislation to curve what their activities are and as buskers continue with that more naturally and put them in the right direction.
"If you have more legislation above what we've got it opens the door to even more subjugation to an art form that has existed for centuries."
Harry Valentino, on guitar and vocals for the band, High Fade, said: "Without busking we definitely wouldn’t be where we are today!"
"Busking has given us a huge purpose and also helped us share music, dancing and great times with millions of people and make friends from all over the world, busking has brought us closer to music and the people that enjoy it!"
Lewis Watt, originally from Bathgate, travels all over the UK busking, he said: "It would affect me massively coming to Edinburgh. I travel all over the UK and I am just back from Newcastle and there is plenty of other places that are a lot worse and I think it is a shame.
"It is a shame because Edinburgh is such a beautiful place and there are a lot of people who like to enjoy music as well but it is one of those things.
"There are residents to consider that you can understand but the way it is just now is pretty fair as I am not allowed to go past a certain level on my amplification."
"I think if they make the restriction any tighter it will definitely affect and will make it harder for street performers in general to make a living."
Edinburgh resident David, 44, performs as a puppet musician and said: "I think the rules at the moment are alright.
"One hour for each busker is absolutely right."
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Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said: "Edinburgh has always been a vibrant and colourful city and entertainers add great character to our streets, particularly during the August festivals. The capital welcomes buskers and street entertainers who liven up the city and who follow the Council’s advice to do so, to be good neighbours and keep noise levels to a reasonable level.
"However, we also recognise that there is negative noise impact by the overamplification of sound by some buskers and street entertainers in public spaces, particular in the city centre. We want to make sure we’ve got the most up-to-date feedback from citizens and are doing all we can to allow both the performers and those nearby who may be impacted to coexist.
"We want to hear as wide a range of views as possible as we consider whether to take the next step and enact a byelaw. I would encourage everyone to take a look at our survey and share your feedback."
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