Shrewsbury split on 'too loud' busker 'driven away' from town centre by new council rules

Under the terms of the notice, the 26-year-old singer will only be permitted to busk in one spot for one hour at a time, and won't be allowed back in that spot, or anywhere 50m from it, for 72 hours.

Breaking those rules could result in prosecution under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Jason said that because of the decision, he would no longer be performing on the streets of his home town.

Shropshire Council said complainants stated Jason's performances were "so loud they are unreasonable and are affecting businesses and residents", so the Shropshire Star visited Pride Hill - Jason's usual busking spot - to see how businesses and residents felt about the development.

Dan Evans, who works at a vape shop on Pride Hill, said he didn't mind the noise.

He said: "Jason's one of the few I don't mind, to be fair. I don't think he's too loud. Whoever ends up singing they're all singing at the same volume, he's no different to anyone else.

"There are more pressing issues in Shrewsbury that we should be dealing with. As a shop, buskers are the least of our priorities."

Barbara Smith, 81, from Shrewsbury, said: "I quite enjoy listening to his music. I don't think he's too loud at all, he's one of the better buskers."

Deborah Austin, owner of The Crystal Labyrinth, said: "He creates quite an atmosphere, there are other people up there that are a nuisance - and I don't think he's a nuisance.

"It's a bit of a shame really. He's gone but the rest are still up there."

Shrewsbury resident, Izzy Lewis, 17, said she always enjoys watching Jason perform in Shrewsbury: "I enjoy listening to it as you walk up and down, I've never seen a problem with it."

But Chris Trehearne from Snailbeach said he had picked up on Jason's volume levels last time he was in the town.

"It was definitely loud," he said. "There was another busker at the top of the street and you couldn't hear that one until you got right up there. There are others though, that are also a bit loud."

With Jason having the backing of 1.3 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, some of those who agreed with the council's decision weren't happy about speaking on the record.

One business owner who didn't want to be named said Jason's music was "simply too loud".

They added: "When you can hear it from the other end of town, there's just no need for it. You could sit there a cappella and everyone could hear you. When you crank it up - to me, that's just arrogance."

Comments on social media, and the Shropshire Star's previous article, were also split on the matter.

One dubbed Jason's performances as "selfish", while others called for a ban on amplifiers while busking. One of his supporters said the town had "gone mad" and another said Jason "brought life to the town".