wletters-clean up-entertainers

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 25 April 2008

‘Clean up’? Let’s keep entertainers on streets

• SOME facts:
Westminster Council, (and other London councils), have consistently refused to adopt part of the London Authorities Act to enable buskers as well as other street performers to obtain proper, agreed licences and conditions.
They have fudged the issue for years.
The same methods were used to “clean up” Leicester Square, which is now just a rat run most of the time.
Capco has acquired part of the Jubilee Market in Covent Garden and is talking to the council about supervising performers on public ground.
This with no public consultation.
There is also a rumour that they would like to acquire the London Eye, the other major street theatre venue, now British Airways have withdrawn sponsorship.
After centuries of performing in Covent Garden the reason for sudden complaints is the increase of residential developments – new people don’t want performers.
Remember, Capco themselves have said they want to create, quote: “A unique retail experience.”
Finally, with the loss already of the Theatre Museum and no permanent replacement for Covent Garden’s own Punch and Judy man, visitors will note that many of the performers – including myself – have gradually abandoned the place.
Bless those who are still fighting on, but until we get the same treatment we get in Oxford and the Edinburgh Festival, all the hyperbole means nothing.
We are in the business of cheering people up. Others are into something else.
Gary Saxton
Address supplied

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, West End Extra, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@westendextra.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld.
Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number.
Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

Your comments: