Jessica Griffiths, 28 and Briony Smith, 26

AS IT emerged Cambridge’s famous busker in the bin has been suffering abuse from students for just plying a simple, musical trade, does it seem the city is fed up with its host of buskers or is it just a unruly few?

Sam Shaw and Emily Boyle, both 22

Street performer Charlie Cavey plays the guitar sitting in a bin.

As somewhere with a strong range of buskers and an annual busking festival, the choice in Cambridge is often superior to many other cities. Nevertheless, Cambridge First reporter Hugh Morris asked the people of Cambridge whether buskers brighten their day or simply irritate them.

Linda Ramsey, 60, is from Sawston, and Gayle Gidman, 50, lives in Cambridge.

Linda said: “I like them. There is some really different ones. They’re good for the city and it’s good for them to be able to express themselves.

“If people can do it, the should, but if it’s illegal and they shouldn’t be there they probably don’t have much to offer.”

Gayle said: “It’s quite nice to listen to them when you’re doing a bit of shopping. There’s a always a good crowd. It’s good for tourists as well as it’s a bit of a British novelty.”

Rick Wilson, 34, lives in Ditton Walk.

He said: “Today, I’m alright about them but some days... We get quite a few homeless people who gather around the bike stall where I work and they can be quite annoying if they’re just hassling people.

“Sometimes I listen to them and I tap my foot but other times I just think I’m working, shouldn’t you be too?”

Jessica Griffiths, 28, lives in Mill Road, and Briony Smith, 26, lives in St Ives.

Jessica said: “Mostly, they’re a good thing but sometimes they can be a bit annoying. They should do it but only if they’re good.”

Briony said: “They are absolutely a good thing and good for the city. It does depend on how good they are.

“The abuse of them is not warranted it’s just nasty.”

Laura Cairns, 21, is a student at Churchill College at Cambridge University.

She said: “It depends how different they are if they are inventive. The binman is good because I think he’s found a niche. The guy playing the saw is interesting.

“If they are actually good, you are likely to give them money but sometimes you just feel sorry for them. At least they’re trying to do something to make money.”

Sam Shaw, 22, lives in Newmarket Road, and Emily Boyd, 22, lives in Chesterton.

Sam said: “When I see someone different, I like it, but when I’m always in town and I just see the same people all the time it gets a bit boring. The guy dressed up as a spaceman with all the keyboards is pretty cool.”

Emily said: “I’ve only been here two weeks and haven’t seen many around.”

Will ‘Just William’ Law, 19, is in a band and occasionally busks.

He said: “It’s something that keeps people interested. It’s good for the busker as well. I saw a kid playing the saxophone with a sign saying he was saving up for lessons and he was getting loads of money.

“There’s the bloke with the dog who howls with him - he’s pretty good.

“If they have an amp and are making a lot of noise I can see why it might annoy shops.”

Alice Taylor, 19, and Christine Eichwede, 18, are students at Magdelene College, Cambridge University.

Christine said: “They can be quite annoying, but it depends on the quality. You do get some really good singers.

Alice said: “Some of the stuff is good. Bin man is really good - he’s quirky.”