THERE are calls to introduce contactless card payments for buskers.

Last week London announced a world-first scheme to allow street performers to take payments using technology from handheld card payment firm, iZettle.

The palm-sized payment devices are synchronised to a user’s mobile phone, and use 4G signals to take and validate electronic payments.

Yesterday buskers and their appreciative audiences said the scheme should be replicated in Brighton and Hove.

Gareth Carey, who was performing in Brighton Place, said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea, of course it should come to Brighton.

“I thought what Sadiq Khan said was fantastic – he wants to keep music and musicians going.

“I think the council should do something similar down here.”

Music fan Tianna Drennan, 21, agreed, saying: “Yes, it would be great if it came to Brighton, more and more people just don’t carry cash.

“The buskers would definitely get more that way.”

Will Petit was entertaining crowds in the Pavilion Gardens with his electric banjo yesterday.

He said he liked the idea, but said for a professional musician like himself it might detract from the special place busking has in his heart.

“Part of the charm of busking is it’s about the actual cash, the coins and notes,” he said.

“You get children coming up with coins they’ve got from their parents – would they feel the same coming up with a credit card?”

He said it would give his fellow musicians another option when people walk past saying they have to cash, although he added: “Often that is just an excuse.”

In the gardens, Billy Girdler, who described Will’s music as “brilliant”, said: “I love the idea.

“It certainly beats fumbling around in your pocket for coins, I think it’s a good thing.”

Under the Busk In London partnership street musicians across London will be able to accept payments via cash, contactless cards, wearable technology and chip and pin.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “For London to maintain its status as a global capital of music, it’s vitally important that we support the stars of tomorrow.

“Busking helps emerging artists to hone their talent and gives them the chance to perform in front of huge numbers of people.”