The Libertines frontman is taking on the council, lending his support to a new petition to overturn the band
20:49, 23 Aug 2025Updated 20:58, 23 Aug 2025
Musician Pete Doherty(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
Musician Pete Doherty has been left unimpressed with a new rule brought into force in Birmingham city centre.
The Libertines legend, who grew up in the Midlands in Bedworth, Warwickshire, has thrown his weight behind a petition slamming the council’s ban on buskers in certain areas of the city centre.
Pete, 46, shared the petition calling for the ban to be lifted in a post on his Instagram page, and also on his Instagram stories.
Read more Mapped – where new Birmingham city centre rules must be obeyed
The petition has been signed by more than 230 people so far.
It reads: “Birmingham has banned busking and street performing in its city centre under a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for at least three years, effective August 2025.
“The ban, which includes musical instruments and amplification equipment, was enacted by Birmingham City Council to address complaints about excessive noise and impact on businesses and residents.
“Areas affected include Victoria Square, New Street, and Temple Street.
“Considering that the city council has already completely defunded arts and consistently shows hostility towards any form of culture in the city, this draconian measure is increasingly making the second city a cultural wasteland.
“It has also been noted that it felt like the councillors had no clue about what they were actually voting for and didn’t understand that they would be completely banning busking.
“This petition is to raise awareness for the importance of arts in the second city and to try and make a difference in removing the busking ban.”
Comments on the Instagram post shared by Pete included: “Wow is this actually a thing..we all going to be forced indoors soon staring at screens.”
A second said: “busking is such an integral part of grassroots music and it’s such a shame to see our city neglecting and crushing it once again… thank you for speaking out on behalf of us all.”
“Such a shambles. Birmingham is full to the brim with talent and it needs to be nurtured and given opportunity to flourish!,” a third supporter wrote.
While others were puzzled, asking “Why birmingham of all places”.
Why has Birmingham City Council introduced the busking ban?
The restrictions were brought in earlier this month following worries about an atmosphere of ‘chaos’ in the city centre.
The new rules cover everything from busking to unlawful street trading and hawking.
The Public Spaces Protection Order concerning busking is active until August 2028, and prohibits the use of amplification devices, along with musical instruments, in designated zones.
The order is aimed at addressing ‘excessive noise levels’ encompasses New Street, Temple Street, Cannon Street, Needless Alley and a portion of Waterloo Street.
The Labour-led council has stated that ‘excessive noise levels’ are affecting residents and landlords attempting to rent out properties.
Several city centre businesses have also supported the PSPO plans, arguing that busking was impacting staff wellbeing and deterring customers.
However, a busker warned that Birmingham risked becoming the nation’s “least friendly city” for street performances due to the restrictions.
“The council is not considering introducing this PSPO without reason,” a spokesperson for the authority said earlier this year.
“We have received a significant and consistent number of complaints from both residents and businesses that there are too many people causing noise in the street and despite being asked to moderate their noise levels, there has been no respite for the affected people.”