Sorry to everyone, I asked this question in the 'Busking Permits' thread but thought I'd get an answer quicker this way. I'm just wondering if a busking permit is required in the UK if so how do I go about getting one?
Thanks,
Graeme

It varies from place to place. Some town centres are managed by private companies, and they all have different policies. Some hold auditions (in theory though I don't think many people do them) You can tie yourself up in knots trying to find it all out. May as well just go out there and see what happens.

Chester... open, just don't busk at the cross.
York... contact the City Council and you can get a permit straightaway.
I think both manchester and Liverpool are fairly open but don't know where the pitches are.
Truro appears to be open ( according to the only busker I met there) although the streets are narrow ( may be good for a small sidewalk show).
Bath... the square outside the Cathedral/ Baths looked great... not sure on permits.
Dublin... holy smoke... I still think this place is pitch heaven.

Those are the only ones I've recently checked out. Rule of thumb is to ask the city council.

I may be well off the mark with this info... I gleaned most of it a couple of months ago while visiting home for a few weeks and only busked a little.

Good luck

tom