Having visited Sidmouth on a regular basis for the Festival for the last fourteen years , AND been there at various times of the year NON Festival , I have never seen a busker on the esplanade / Promenade EXCEPT during the Festival week . The 'busking for the Festival' went
out of the window because the Middle Bar collected more than any one else could and collected too many sticks ,so they cancelled they whole idea . And some of the 'Hangers On' who came with SOME of the professional buskers DID leave a little to be desired .