Buskers will be given dedicated areas and licences to perform in London Underground stations, as a part of a trial scheme to be launched within a month.

Busking has been illegal anywhere on the Tube network, but will now be allowed under controlled conditions.

The trial is being sponsored by Carling, which is providing £600,000 for busking recruitment, publicity, and management of the buskers at each station.

Buskers will not be paid by Carling and will rely on the generosity of their audience at Tube stations.

Several hundred musicians will be issued permits to perform in 25 areas at 12 tube stations in Central London.

The 16-week trial comes after bylaws banning busking were changed, and LU said buskers would be allowed at more stations if the trial is successful.

An LU spokesman said passenger surveys had shown tube users wanted buskers at stations, with certain conditions.

"They said we really want buskers, but we do not want them in our way or to be hassled," the spokesman told Local London.

Tube passengers also wanted a variety of quality music, and did not want endless repetition of the same songs or tunes from buskers.

Candidates will have to register and audition before they are licensed to perform.

LU said it would not select buskers, but would instead rely on music experts.

The trial is restricted to solo performers, with the possibility for groups to be introduced in certain stations.

April 30, 2003 14:00