London first in the world: Buskers to start offering card payments

London is to introduce a contactless payment scheme for buskers in what organisers say is a world first. The project Busk in London will allow street musicians across London to accept payments via cash, contactless cards, wearable technology and chip and pin.

Charlotte Campbell, a full-time busker in London, said she had seen a “significant impact” on her earnings after trialling the scheme for two weeks. She has the card reader set up to deduct £2 per tap so fans do not have to select a donation amount.

Busk in London and technology company iZettle have started rolling the feature out to performers in London’s 32 boroughs, with more locations planned in the coming months.