A judge has ruled that buskers in Leicester Square are inflicting "psychological torture" on nearby office workers.
Staff at Global Radio, home to stations including LBC, Heart FM and Classic FM, have been particularly affected by the noise.
Westminster Council has now been ordered to clamp down on buskers playing amplified music on an endless loop outside the broadcaster's headquarters.
The case was heard at City of London Magistrates' Court.
Global employees reported that the noise through their windows is so disruptive they are forced to make phone calls in cupboards.
Showbiz editor Charlotte Jacob told the court: "It's incredibly distracting. Yesterday in the office in the afternoon I was not able to conduct a conversation with a colleague two desks away."
Staff member Gareth Andrewartha said the noise was so bad he had to duck into cupboards to escape it.
Michelle Gammon recalled "hearing the vocals in the loo at the back of the building".
Global Radio launched legal action against Westminster Council under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The broadcaster hired top law firm Mishcon de Reya for the challenge.
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The Hippodrome Casino and the nearby Chinese Community Centre backed Global's case.
Simon Thomas, executive chairman of the Hippodrome Casino, said he is "plagued" by noise on a frequent basis which leaves him unable to work.
He described the noise as "tortuous" because of repeated sets and what the judge called "awful renditions".
The judge at City of London Magistrates' Court was particularly critical of the repetitive nature of the performances.
"While the volume is the principal mischief, it is clear that the nuisance is exacerbated by the repetition and poor quality of some of the performances," he said.
"As I observed in the hearing, the use of repetitive sounds is a well-publicised feature of unlawful but effective psychological torture techniques."
The court heard the council had failed to act despite "a long history of complaints".
Council employees claimed they were often unable to respond as their offices were a 30-minute walk away.
After the hearing, a Westminster council spokesman said: "We understand the legitimate concerns raised in this case."
The council pledged to continue "seeking a balance between minimising nuisance to our residents and businesses whilst ensuring performers can continue to add to the vibrant heritage of street entertainment in Westminster".
They stated their city inspectors and environmental health teams would "continue to partner with the police to address noise complaints".
The council said it had prosecuted seven people for 21 separate offences since September last year.
They also regularly seize equipment from unlicensed buskers in the Leicester Square area.
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Staff at Global Radio, home to stations including LBC, Heart FM and Classic FM, have been particularly affected by the noise.
Westminster Council has now been ordered to clamp down on buskers playing amplified music on an endless loop outside the broadcaster's headquarters.
The case was heard at City of London Magistrates' Court.
Global employees reported that the noise through their windows is so disruptive they are forced to make phone calls in cupboards.
Showbiz editor Charlotte Jacob told the court: "It's incredibly distracting. Yesterday in the office in the afternoon I was not able to conduct a conversation with a colleague two desks away."
Staff member Gareth Andrewartha said the noise was so bad he had to duck into cupboards to escape it.
Michelle Gammon recalled "hearing the vocals in the loo at the back of the building".
Global Radio launched legal action against Westminster Council under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The broadcaster hired top law firm Mishcon de Reya for the challenge.
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The Hippodrome Casino and the nearby Chinese Community Centre backed Global's case.
Simon Thomas, executive chairman of the Hippodrome Casino, said he is "plagued" by noise on a frequent basis which leaves him unable to work.
He described the noise as "tortuous" because of repeated sets and what the judge called "awful renditions".
The judge at City of London Magistrates' Court was particularly critical of the repetitive nature of the performances.
"While the volume is the principal mischief, it is clear that the nuisance is exacerbated by the repetition and poor quality of some of the performances," he said.
"As I observed in the hearing, the use of repetitive sounds is a well-publicised feature of unlawful but effective psychological torture techniques."
The court heard the council had failed to act despite "a long history of complaints".
Council employees claimed they were often unable to respond as their offices were a 30-minute walk away.
After the hearing, a Westminster council spokesman said: "We understand the legitimate concerns raised in this case."
The council pledged to continue "seeking a balance between minimising nuisance to our residents and businesses whilst ensuring performers can continue to add to the vibrant heritage of street entertainment in Westminster".
They stated their city inspectors and environmental health teams would "continue to partner with the police to address noise complaints".
The council said it had prosecuted seven people for 21 separate offences since September last year.
They also regularly seize equipment from unlicensed buskers in the Leicester Square area.
Find Out More...