London Street Performers collect donations by the people passing by. The performers can now collect from passers-by with tap using Contactless card payments. Yes, its official, the scheme has been launched by the Mayor of London himself!
London is a capital of music and has produced artists for decades. Now it’s a question to maintain its status as a global hub of music. This move by The Mayor is to support the stars of tomorrow and especially to create the right atmosphere for the same.
Busking
Street performance also known as busking is the act of performing in public places for gratuities. In many countries the rewards are generally in the form of money but other gratuities such as food, drink or gifts may be given.
Busking helps emerging artists to hone their talent and gives them the chance to perform in front of huge numbers of people. Now, more Londoners will be able to show their support to the capital’s brilliant, talented street performers.
The ones behind the implementation of the scheme is the Busk In London Initiative, which was designed to encourage and improve street music in the capital. Also in on the idea is technology company iZettle.
The Process
The card readers will be set up to accept a fixed amount and does not need any intervention so that the buskers can focus on performing for their audiences.
Chip and pin card technology will also be provided to the registered street performers. The digital technology is going to the ease of payment process which will help increase the income of street performers.
Strategist believe that if the streets don’t going digital then they are at risk of becoming a dying art. It’s going to have a significant impact on the contributions buskers receive. More people than ever tap to donate whilst being entertained, and often, when one person does, another follows.
The 32 boroughs of London have already seen the rollout of the technology, with more locations planned in the coming months.
It seems the world is upgrading itself. Lets keep up with it, too!
