Global Radio starts court fight with council over noisy Leicester Square buskers

EUROPE’S largest commercial radio company has launched a court fight with Westminster council over noisy buskers outside its central London offices.

- Rachael Burford

Global Radio — which counts Heart, Capital, Classic FM, Smooth and LBC among its stations — claims performers near its Leicester Square headquarters are causing a “nuisance”. It has begun a legal fight with Westminster council over what it alleges is a failure to crackdown on rowdy entertainers.

The company is using legislation under the Environmental Protection Act, which is usually enforced by local authorities to prosecute persistently noisy neighbours and fly-tippers, in what is believed to be a first of its kind court action. A spokesman for Westminster council said it does not comment on live legal cases, but confirmed it has pleaded not guilty to the prosecution. A three-day trial is due to take place early next year at City of London magistrates’ court.