This Is Guernsey

By Jess Stevenson

LOCAL musicians have said they are unlikely to busk in Guernsey if the Culture and Leisure Department does not pay for their public liability insurance next year.

A street performer must have insurance in case of an injury to a member of the public.

Culture and Leisure has paid for the cover to get the busking scheme started this year, but a department spokesman said the situation would be reviewed at the end of the year.

Currently it would cost a musician between £200 and £500 to obtain the insurance for a year.

That would provide about £2.5m.-worth of cover.

Guitarist Dave Fuller (pictured) said he would struggle to make enough money to cover that cost.

‘I would be afraid I wouldn’t make enough, it would depend if you busked every day.

‘It would be a concern that I wouldn’t be able to afford it, but I wouldn’t do it for the money,’ he said.

Acoustic guitarist Jamie-Lee Fallaize said whether he could cover the cost of the insurance would depend on how often he played.

‘I couldn’t really justify it. If I could do it every week I would probably do it.

‘It’s not all about the money but it would be nice to make that money back. It [the insurance] would probably put people off,’ he said.

‘I think busking is great and it adds to the atmosphere but it shouldn’t be something you have to pay to do. It should really be covered by the States because they are bringing something positive to the area.’

Acoustic guitarist James Morvan was more optimistic.

He has busked in many major cities and earned between £80 and £100 on one occasion.

‘It depends on the day and the weather.

‘One of my best days was the day before Valentine’s Day. Everyone was in a good mood and it was sunny.

‘But if people are in a hurry and it’s bad weather, you won’t make very much,’ he said.

Mr Morvan said it might be possible to make enough to cover the insurance as long as Guernsey was not swamped with buskers.

‘It depends if the States go over the top and have people all over the place. As long as they are sensible with their permits and busking spots, I don’t see why not.’

Article posted on 26th June, 2009 - 1.00pm