Licensee in dispute with PPL over licence charge

A Norfolk licensee is locked in a dispute with music licensing company PPL after they charged him for a licence when his pub was not yet open.

The Lord Nelson in Bradenham, Norfolk, was due to open on 16 April, but a delay in refurbishment has forced owner Sheridan Smith to put back the pub's opening date.

Smith told the Publican's Morning Advertiser he had signed up to the PPL website prior to 16 April to request a music licence, and was informed that somebody would contact him.

It was not until June that PPL eventually sent Smith an invoice for £135.83, the price of the licence, in addition to another charge of £67.92 for operating without a licence.

Smith appealed the charges before receiving a bailiff notice from Oriel Collections Limited claiming he owed them the outstanding fees. The pub is still not open.

Commenting on the situation, Smith said: "My father who is project managing the building is pretty disgusted and his attitude is pretty much 'no music' as it will mean paying this company money.

"Realistically we would like to tell these people to go away, but we will need music eventually. I am fairly good at standing my ground in these cases. However, I know there are some licensees who are not and they are the ones I am worried about."

Jonathan Morrish, of PPL said: "PPL looks forward to resolving this issue directly with the proprietor of the venue.

"However, it is a legal requirement in the UK for any business that plays recorded music in public to have a PPL licence. Playing the radio also constitutes a public performance and requires a licence from PPL.

"Tariffs will vary but a PPL licence, which is issued on an annual basis, can cost as little as 18 pence per day. It is widely recognised that there are significant potential benefits to any business from the use of music in public."