A busker from Leeds says he faces “harassment” when performing in the city centre.
Ellis Robinson says buskers are choosing to go to places like Manchester instead, because Leeds is not worth it.
In Leeds there is no licence needed for buskers with few restrictions but Robinson says “everyone” still refuses to perform here.
Other performers have shared similar experiences, including singer/ songwriter Jason Allan, whose story went viral on TikTok.
Jason Allan, 29, a full-time busker, went viral in Leeds City Centre when “defending himself” against a “gang of teenagers” trying to “rattle up an altercation” in 2025. Allan says “they could have beaten me up or destroyed all my equipment which is my livelihood” and describes the experience as “horrible” and he “wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
Ellis Robinson, who regularly busks in Leeds explains he is “used to harassment” as he has had multiple incidents where people have “tried to touch” his female friends and he’s “had to step in” resulting in them “swinging” for him. Robinson says “it’s mainly people on drugs, saying they have superpowers.” Robinson finds these issues “are only in Leeds” and “everyone refuses to come here” and “would rather go to Manchester.”
Leeds vs other cities
Across different cities there’s different regulations for Buskers. According to the Leeds City Council they ‘do not need to have a licence but do have to follow codes of conduct’. Leeds regulation includes moving every 1.5-2 hours and keep music relatively low.Business promotion and activities in Leeds City Centre | Leeds.gov.uk
Manchester has stricter rules, buskers cannot use bass or drum amplifiers and can perform in one location for 90 minutes and cannot return to the same spot for 24 hours.Busking – code of conduct | Manchester City Council
Jason Allan however says he “would return” (…) “I love Leeds, I sold out my first show in Leeds” (…) “I don’t have any negative feelings towards the city, it was an isolated incident, it can happen on any day, in any city, its not a reflection on the city itself.”
Despite regulations “there’s not much you can do as buskers” Allan adds “we go to busy areas and ask for attention and some of that attention will be negative.” Allan does worry about “female buskers and buskers with less experience” than himself as his “18 years of busking has hardened him.”
“Kill them with kindness” and speak to people “calmly” is Allan’s biggest advice for new buskers.
The joy of busking
Two locals who “love” Leeds busking are elderly couple Alan Walker,92, and Caren Walker, 90, who have gone viral on social media for dancing to Leeds buskers.
Alan says busking “is what makes Leeds the best place to be” adding “we can’t dance like we used to” (…) “but we can dance to music and it’s thanks to the music of Leeds, it’s what makes it the fantastic city it is.”
Caron added “The buskers do a superb job” and “are absolutely brilliant.”