Here at British Trams Online we always seek to bring you the really important news stories… The latest from the Tyne and Wear Metro is the return of buskers to the three dedicated pitches in the city centre – for the first time since before Covid started. Nexus have decided that its now safe for buskers to return and the first performer has already done a session with bookings now open for further acts to start entertaining commuters once more.
Busking has been banned on the Metro since March 2020 when it was prohibited in line with Covid-19 restrictions. Now after almost three years, a recent review has decided that it is safe once again for buskers to return. There are three busking pitches available to be booked, all in central Newcastle. They are Central Station, Haymarket and Monument.
The first act to perform was Lucie Thomson, 18, a musical theatre student from North Shields. She said: ““I loved it. It’s been really nice to get to see people’s reactions to hearing music at Metro stations again because it’s been such a long time since we have been able to perform due to covid. It’s great that things are back to normal.”
John Alexander, Metro Operations Director, added: “Busking has been big part of everyday life on Metro over the last 20 years, so we are delighted to welcome it back. Buskers make such a huge contribution to the cultural vibrancy of our city centres, and on Metro they cheerfully entertain many thousands of passengers who pass through some of our busiest stations. It was really sad that we had to prohibit musicians from performing due to the pandemic, so we are really enthused at being able to bring them all back. We think our customers will love seeing the buskers return.”
Anyone who wishes to busk on the Metro has to apply for a permit by calling in person to the reception at South Gosforth Metro Control Centre. Its also possible to complete an application online at https://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/busking. After they have registered they can then book a pitch with two slots available: 1200-1500 and 1500-1800.