Busking zones a success

Marking out areas for busking has livened up Broadway Ave in Palmerston North.

To encourage buskers to stop on the street, Passion Art tutor Neil Wallace was called upon to spray-paint stylised purple "Busk It" stencils on the footpath in three places along Broadway - outside Downtown Shopping Centre, Alexanders and Ballentynes/Trade Aid, with the approval of shop owners.

Council cultural co-ordinator Axel De Maupeou D'ableiges said feedback from shop owners at The Square end of the street was that the stencils had been put to good use.

The other end had been a bit weaker, probably because there was less foot traffic, he said. Buskers do not require a licence to perform, but noise control can become involved if it becomes too loud.

The scheme started the day after Palmerston North Safety Advisory Board's "Give Wisely" campaign at the start of December asking people to give their money to charity rather than to beggars.

Broadway Ave was one of the areas worst affected by begging.

Mr De Maupeou D'ableiges said designating busking areas showed people could take ownership of an area. He said the upcoming urban arts festival on Broadway would hopefully become integrated into thoughts about what the street should become.

- © Fairfax NZ News