Playing music in my shop? suggestions?

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Tombo46

Tombo46

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Jan 9, 2012
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  • #1
    I am aware that I need a PRS license to play music in my shop. I'm not sure how much it is though. I wanted to know if anyone here plays music in the shop and what are the pro's/cons of this? Also, would it be a good idea to play it in my shop? I own a Greengrocers/florists and have a wide range of customers from OAP's to young children. Is there a radio station that would suit my shop and most importantly, wouldn't offend the older generation?

    Your thoughts please!
     
    R

    Root 66 Woodshop

  • #3
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the PRS a licence to play the radio as it would technically be classed as "free advertising"?

    I don't think it's illegal to play a CD or product DVD in a shop... but I could be wrong. :)
     
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    kulture

    kulture

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  • #4
    AuthorizedAccess said:
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the PRS a licence to play the radio as it would technically be classed as "free advertising"?

    I don't think it's illegal to play a CD or product DVD in a shop... but I could be wrong. :)
    Click to expand...

    Its not illegal as such, SO LONG AS YOU HAVE A LICENSE! Look up PRS and PPL as you will need both for a CD.
     
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    mhall

    mhall

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  • #6
    As countless threads on here will confirm, PRS and PPL are ridiculous. Unfortunately, so is the law. I refuse to pay their fees, but then I only play royalty free music which, because it is only background music, is no biggie (other than making the staff want to slash their wrists)

    The law states that the artists, composers and producers are entitled to their royalties, which I have no problem with at all. I do have a massive problem with PRS and PPL and their arrogance and the bullying call centres they use, which is why I refuse to deal with them. IF they were nice and sensible I may even pay !
     
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    mhall

    mhall

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  • #7
    Sorry, I didn't actually answer the question. If you have a dab radio there are loads of easy listening stations that should suit everyone, or at least not offend. Try and avoid the UK stations like Smooth as they seem to only have a dozen songs on the playlist and it will drive you mad after hearing "99 balloons" eight times a day.

    When you talk to PRS make sure you tell them you have a single small radio with no detachable speaker
     
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    P

    Photovision

  • #8
    They were nothing but polite when they called me up the other day to ask if we played music in our shop,

    I told them we didn't but were looking into it and they advised me very well on what I'd need for the number of staff we have, and fortunately told me I wouldn't have to pay if the music was being played personally where no-one else can hear it

    So if you all use headphones and personal MP3 players you don't need a license, it's only as soon as other cans hear it that you need to pay, it was around £50 for up to 5 staff from what I remember of the call

    I did disagree with the crafty nature of the call initially which I assume is to catch people out who are listening without paying
     
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    RevaxMedia

  • #14
    OldWelshGuy said:
    there are royalty free options online and off. you can then tell the PRS etc to go away.
    Click to expand...

    If you find royalty free music don't you need a broadcasting license? Also I can imagine the quality of the royalty free music :)

    I would try and keep the majority happy - who is your main customers? I would also put it on low so if they don't like the music it's not too much of a problem as it's just background music - I can only see it being a problem if it's something like hard rock and roll for OAP's?
     
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    cooperone

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  • #15
    Dont forget PPL, some say dont pay them some say they do......I had £70 bill last week, off PPL I already pay PRS, no public listen to music but have tv in reception, so you have to pay for PRS, I told PPL that I would get rid of the tv has I only use it, I own the business, no on else sees it, I only view share prices, didnt matter, they said they can bill you 12 months in advance, I have emailed them, no reply, will await a snotty letter off them then write to them. I even hung up on the guy he was pretty awful. :mad:
     
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    mhall

    mhall

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  • #17
    RevaxMedia said:
    If you find royalty free music don't you need a broadcasting license? Also I can imagine the quality of the royalty free music :)
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    There are three types of Royalty free music. The first is utter crap, the second is newer music, quite often from new, unsigned bands. Some of this is actually really good. The third is music that has been around so long that any rights have expired

    Like all things, you get what you pay for - we pay £7 a month (far far cheaper than PRS and PPL) and for that get loads of "stations" - the Christmas one in particular is very classy and all customers seem to like it and it makes a change from Slade, Wizzard and Band Aid.

    I know some will begrudge paying even the £7, but I see little point in operating on the wrong side of the law but will NEVER deal with PRS. We use http://www.royaltyfreemusicradio.com/ and it really pees PRS off when they ring as they seem to assume that because we play music we must pay them. We have had countless letters over the years from them demading we prove the music is royalty free but the onus is on them to prove it isn't. They are welcome to come and investigate whenever they want. They have never paid us a visit leading me to believe we could probably get away with having the radio on. but we don't.
     
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    Cobby

    Cobby

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  • #18
    90DC said:
    Red tape, disgusting. Retailers should be allowed to put music on if they wish. Some will no doubt disagree, but I think it's ridiculous.
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    No! Don't say that, the defender of corporations and ambiguous law will appear and call you criminal scum. ;)

    Photovision said:
    I told them we didn't but were looking into it and they advised me very well on what I'd need for the number of staff we have, and fortunately told me I wouldn't have to pay if the music was being played personally where no-one else can hear it
    Click to expand...
    This is a lie. If you play it in your backroom with just you listening they will still try and fine/charge you for it. Unless you put on headphones, then it's fine, obviously. :rolleyes:
     
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    captaincloser

    captaincloser

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  • #25
    90DC said:
    Red tape, disgusting. Retailers should be allowed to put music on if they wish. Some will no doubt disagree, but I think it's ridiculous.
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    Mr 90DC ...ever thought of moving to Tunbridge Wells ? You are using the words 'disgusting' and 'disgusted' and 'ridiculous' quite a lot on UKBF threads and I feel you might have more neighbours in agreement with you in the UK's historical headquarters of 'disgusted, Tunbridge Wells' ?:)
     
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    Shopboy76

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  • #26
    I've had a bit of experience (adverse) with those PRS and PPL people. Subsequently I looked into alternatives to paying £400+ a year for licenses.

    Plus the grapevine told me there's 20% hike/increase coming in the near future....

    The most impressive alternative is Amazing Instore. In my opinion, there's nothing like it for music quality. I think they also run a national DAB radio station too.

    Don't want to pay PRS and PPL....do something with Amazing.
     
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    PrestonLad

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  • #28
    OK.... so I thought I was clever and had budgeted for PRS. But this thread tells me I need PPL too :rolleyes: I'd never heard of it. Another 120 quid a year.... taking it to about 360 combined. It's sounding pretty hefty now.

    Do I need either of these licences if I just play talk-radio... like TalkSport, or Radio 5Live? (I fear I can predict a bad answer!)
     
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    Shopboy76

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  • #29
    PrestonLad said:
    OK.... so I thought I was clever and had budgeted for PRS. But this thread tells me I need PPL too :rolleyes: I'd never heard of it. Another 120 quid a year.... taking it to about 360 combined. It's sounding pretty hefty now.

    Try the company I mentioned - they could mor ethan half your music bill and you can get a refund on your licences.

    Do I need either of these licences if I just play talk-radio... like TalkSport, or Radio 5Live? (I fear I can predict a bad answer!)
    Click to expand...

    Yes you would need both licenses (PRS & PPL) as these radio stations (99.9999% of stations) carry music that is PRS and PPL registered. Sorry
     
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    cooperone

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    Mar 20, 2012
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  • #30
    Yes you do :( I fought the PPL, and I wont be paying the PRS next year, because we do not have members of the public or staff now (we are a garage) that listen to music or watch tv. We started paying PRS 3 years ago, because we had a tv in our waiting area, which probably gets about 1 customer a month waiting for their car, if its an emergency. We have now taken the tv away. No one has complained. I know its alot more difficult if you own a shop. This is how I heard about PPL my friend running a barbers has paid alot out to PPL, I knew it was only a matter of time before they got in touch. It was a pain to get through to them.
    Because I didnt pay the original invoice within 30 days , they sent another bill for half of the first one :mad:.

    Good Luck.
     
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    Shopboy76

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  • #32
    leemason said:
    If you don't want to be stuck paying PRS licenses you could have a look at a site like this: Some music here is royalty free but other music you have to buy a license for. Also some Internet Radio Stations can be played royalty free so again if you don't want to pay PRS...
    Click to expand...

    Hi Lee,

    I looked at that site a few months ago, There's only a fraction of music you can play without the usual expensive PRS and PPL license. I urge caution over internet radio stations too. It falls to you to remain copyright free, not them.

    If you do intend to opt for a high quality original artist PRS/PPL license free service. Running costs are only a fraction of the license costs. There's a huge number of high street biggies moving to new and emerging music (as all music is until you know it!!)
     
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    L

    leemason

  • #35
    Shopboy76 said:
    Hi Lee,

    I looked at that site a few months ago, There's only a fraction of music you can play without the usual expensive PRS and PPL license. I urge caution over internet radio stations too. It falls to you to remain copyright free, not them.

    If you do intend to opt for a high quality original artist PRS/PPL license free service. Running costs are only a fraction of the license costs. There's a huge number of high street biggies moving to new and emerging music (as all music is until you know it!!)
    Click to expand...

    Fair enough. I thought more of them were royalty free.
     
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