Busking, public entertainment, and entertainment activities on the highway & public spaces
The Licensing Act
Adur & Worthing Councils hold a number of premises licences under this Act, covering some town centre streets, a variety of parks and gardens and Worthing's promenade. These authorise various regulated entertainments and allow the councils to encourage a diverse and exciting selection of public and street entertainment and the staging of community festivals and events.
Worthing and Shoreham-by-Sea have extremely busy town centres attracting large numbers of visitors and shoppers and as a result the provision of street facilities has to be carefully managed to maximise the benefits for all.
To provide entertainment in Adur or Worthing's parks and gardens or on Worthing's promenade an event booking must be accepted by the councils' events team.
Street entertainment and busking
Many people are happy to listen to street performers, and the councils are happy to have buskers because they liven up the streets. However complaints can arise if the volume, duration and frequency of the noise is excessive for residents or local businesses.
Anyone disturbed by loud, continued or repeated singing or playing of musical instruments may ask a busker to stop. Refusal to do so is an offence against local byelaws.
If you make a complaint to the council, officers will respond as soon as possible in order to assess the level of disturbance within your premises and talk to the buskers on your behalf.
Advice for buskers in Adur Town Centres
Responsible buskers are welcomed by Adur District Council. Buskers can be asked to stop on request if the council or police receive a complaint. Please note that amplification and drumming are not supported by the council.
Anybody may ask a busker to stop if they are disturbed by loud, continued or repeated singing, and/or playing instruments or amplifiers.
You must be over 14 years old to busk and if you are under 16 you must be supervised by an adult at all times.
For more information see:
Advice for buskers in Worthing
For further details see:
Event booking - Adur
- Town centres: to stage events in town centres in Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing or Southwick (including Coronation Green) please contact:
- Gardens and parks: To stage an event in one of Adur's gardens or parks please contact:
Event booking - Worthing
- Town centre: to stage events in Worthing town centre please contact:
- Gardens, parks and seafront: to stage an event in one of Worthing's gardens or parks, or on the seafront, please contact:
Page last updated: 24 June 2024