Host hits out over PRS licence fee

By Ewan Turney

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Performance Music Mike bell

Host hits out over PRS licence fee
Mike Bell says bands at his pub do not play covers and demands a refund

An irate licensee has demanded a refund from the Performing Right Society (PRS) because bands that play at his Notting Hill pub do not play covers.

Mike Bell (pictured​), of the Portobello Gold, said he failed to see why he should pay for a PRS licence when he only featured bands playing their own music.

But the PRS, which collects royalties on behalf of the creators of music, has now given Bell just ten days to compile a full list of acts and songlists planned for the whole of 2008.

Bell slammed this request as "totally unreasonable"​.

After having to compile a retrospective list of acts and songs for 2007, he claimed that only a handful of covers were played and so he had witheld payment of £282.49 for part of the licence fee.

He has since paid the money but is seeking legal advice on obtaining a refund.

"Once a week the Portobello Gold showcases emerging singer-songwriting talent and neither our customers nor ourselves are interested in how they perform other people's songs,"​ he said.

"We neither encourage nor ask for covers, nor do we charge an entrance fee to the 40-odd people that see the acts.

"The acts are genuinely pleased to be able to play at our venue because it gives them a chance of featuring their own compositions."

A PRS spokesman said: "PRS requests set lists of songs from premises with live music in order to pay the creators of music royalties each time a piece of their music is played in public.

"By buying a PRS Music Licence you have access to 10m pieces of music and at a competitive rate.

"PRS only wishes to charge for the correct level of music usage and we will always aim to determine this with the customer.

"We will be in contact with Mr Bell to resolve any outstanding concerns."

Related topics Licensing law

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