Council turns up volume in Shrewsbury busker row as it threatens 'street trading' legal action
A row involving a Shrewsbury busker and Shropshire Council has intensified, with the authority now threatening the street musician with legal action for illegal "street trading".
Last week, singer Jason Allan was issued a written Community Protection Warning Notice by Shropshire Council after "continuing complaints" about the volumes of his music.
Under the terms of the notice, the 26-year-old singer is only permitted to busk in one spot for one hour at a time in Shrewsbury town centre. He then won't be allowed back in that spot, or anywhere within 50 metres from it, for 72 hours.
The council has said they were forced to act after receiving complaints from both residents and businesses about the volume of Jason's performances.
The 26-year-old, who has over 1.3 million followers on Tik Tok has now decided to call time on his performances in Shrewsbury after the council's move.
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However, the row has now escalated after Shropshire Council's Licensing department emailed Jason to say it is considering prosecuting the busker who they have accused of illegal "street trading".
As part of the investigation, Jason, who is set to headline his first-ever home town show in Shrewsbury on December 3 at the Butterworth, has been asked to attend a formal interview "under caution" to explain himself.
And he has been warned that if he is found guilty he could be prosecuted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Taking to Instagram to slam the council's move, Jason told his 63,000 followers on the social media platform that he would "fight every step".
He said the email from the council arrived on Tuesday "on cue" just after the story about the council moving him on from Shrewsbury Town Centre appeared in the Shropshire Star.
The musician has now accused the authority of "harassment, discrimination and bullying".
He said: "Shropshire Council has now got Licensing to email me threatening me with prosecution. They're trying to do me for street trading.
"I used to sell my CDs when I played but I have not done that in Shrewsbury. I have been promoting by headline show. I know that I am not legally allowed to do that so I let them know where to get the tickets such as the Bull Inn, but I don't take nay cash as I instruct people to go there and buy them.
"I also sometimes give out free tickets to people who wish to bring kids."
He added: "I think they are targeting me because I have stood up to them. It is bullying and harassment. I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide, so I will comply with anything they want.
"I have never experienced anything like this in my life, I will fight this at every step."
Jason is now set to appear before Shropshire Council Licensing in early December.
A spokesperson for Shropshire Council said the authority would "not be commenting further as the matter is subject to legal proceedings".
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