TRADERS in Kendal town centre said more should be done to make sure street entertainers do not put off shoppers.

Under rules set down by South Lakeland District Council, buskers can legally perform in the street for half an hour before having to move on.

The council also states they must not return to that spot for at least three hours.

However, traders on Stricklandgate say these rules are rarely followed and it is having a negative impact on trade.

Pippa Lewis, the manager of Card Factory, said: “Sometimes it is like you are living life in fast forward working here.

“You can hear the music being played continuously outside alongside the music that we play in store.

“I am not against the buskers. I wasn’t aware they even had a time limit imposed on them.

“But the repetitiveness is a nightmare. Some Saturday’s they play continuously all afternoon.

“If the street performers only played for half an hour and then moved on it would make it a lot more tolerable.”

A spokesman for Thontons said it was not always the quality of the performers that was the problem.

She said: “Last week I saw one busker play for three hours straight.

“To be honest he was a really good clarinet player. The problem came when he put down his instrument and his partner started shouting at him to continue.

“It was really off putting for the customers.

“I think more should be done to keep the performances down to half an hour.

“It makes it fairer. Thirty minute slots will give all of the buskers a chance to perform in the best spots.”

Lee Grimbaldeston, the manager of Holland and Barrett, said: “I saw one guy with a karaoke type of machine last week. He wasn’t the best.

“But to be honest some of the performers are really talented.

“Many of the shops have background music so sometimes constant noise from buskers outside can become monotonous.

“I think the council should do more to make sure the rules are followed.”

John Scott, store manager at Virgin Money said the noise is sometimes so loud he cannot hear his customers through the protective glass.

He said: “I think street performers are good for the area but I think they should also adhere to the rules set down by the council.”

A spokesman for SLDC said: “We recognise that street entertainment adds to the vibrancy of the town centre and adds to many people’s enjoyment of a visit to Kendal.

“The code of conduct is effectively a request from the council to the buskers, particularly the more exuberant ones, to be mindful of the effect their music or performance may have on the local shops and offices.

“We do not carry out routine patrols, but we would respond to specific complaints and, if required, request a busker adheres to the terms of the code.’’

The Gazette approached Andres Band, who come to Kendal from Cheetham Hill, near Manchester, every week and a spokesman said that they will set up just after 8am and stay until just after 3pm. He declined to comment on whether they were aware of the time limits.