- What is TheMusicLicence?
TheMusicLicence allows you to legally play and perform music in your business, whether through the radio, TV, other digital devices and/or live performances.
If you play or perform music in your business or organisation in the UK, you will usually need TheMusicLicence. It will cover you, with one licence and one invoice, for the use of virtually all commercially released music available – millions of songs and recordings, including the most popular and well-loved music not just from the UK, but also from around the world.
- Do I need TheMusicLicence?
If you play or perform music in your business or organisation, the chances are you need TheMusicLicence.
Under The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, permission is needed from the relevant copyright holders – those people who create music – in order to play or perform music in public
Obtaining TheMusicLicence gives you this permission, in relation to the vast majority of commercially available music. This ranges from grassroots and independent artists and composers through to the biggest names in the business.
The music is only for the employees, do I still need TheMusicLicence?
Even if you are only playing music in your business or organisation for employees, then you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence.
Music that's played outside of a domestic environment is classed as a public performance, even if the music can only be heard by employees in the workplace, canteen or staff areas.
TheMusicLicence gives you permission to play music in your business or organisation for your employees.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
I work alone, do I still need TheMusicLicence?
If you are using music in a business or organisation that has employees, customers or visitors to the premises then you will usually need TheMusicLicence.
PPL and PRS for Music do however operate a discretionary policy whereby they do not apply a charge to homeworkers (within a private residence working on their own) or for workplaces with only one worker, where music is not made available to any visitors/customers coming onto the premises.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
I only play the radio, why do I need TheMusicLicence?
If you are playing the radio in your business or organisation, you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence. Although the radio stations pay both PPL and PRS for Music for the right to broadcast, it does not include playing the radio in public, such as business premises.
TheMusicLicence allows you to legally play music for employees, customers or visitors in your business or organisation.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
I only use the TV to play sports, why do I need a TheMusicLicence?
Sports programming uses more music than people realise, such as opening and closing titles, highlights and featured sequences as well as the advertisements during commercial breaks. You'll therefore usually need TheMusicLicence to use the television for showing sports and other programming in public.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
I already have a TV licence, why do I need TheMusicLicence?
It is easy to forget that music is used all the time within TV programmes, advertisements during commercial breaks and other broadcasts. A TV licence only allows you to receive the broadcast signal for the television.
If you wish to use the TV in public, such as at your business premises, you will usually need TheMusicLicence to cover the music included in those programmes.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
I have music on my telephone on hold system, do I need TheMusicLicence?
If you are using commercially-released music on your telephone system in your business or organisation, then you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence.
The music on your telephone system is being played for your customers and is classed as public performance. In some cases, PPL and PRS for Music have agreements in place with telephone on hold music suppliers who provide you with TheMusicLicence as part of the service they offer.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
I use music at an educational establishment, do I still need TheMusicLicence?
If you are using music in an educational establishment, including nurseries, pre-schools, playgroups, crèches, schools, sixth forms, colleges or universities, please contact us to discuss your music usage so we can ensure you are correctly licensed.
If you are unsure about whether you need TheMusicLicence for your music, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
I use a royalty free music supplier, do I still need a licence?
TheMusicLicence covers virtually all commercially released music available. Where you have chosen not to use that music, there are a number of circumstances where you may not need TheMusicLicence.
If you do not think that the music you use is covered by PPL PRS you should ask for confirmation from your supplier. If you then forward the confirmation through to us, we will update our records.
If you are unsure about whether you need TheMusicLicence for your music, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
I use international music, do I need TheMusicLicence?
Not only do PPL and PRS for Music represent millions of musical compositions and recordings from UK artists and music creators. They also represent international artists and music creators through over 100 affiliated societies, that all operate under reciprocal agreements, in over 150 different countries around the world.
The royalties collected are passed to the relevant overseas society who will in turn pay the artists and music creators. So, if the international music is covered by a reciprocal agreement, you will require TheMusicLicence.
If you are unsure about whether you need TheMusicLicence for your music, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
If I have already purchased the music, why do I need to pay for a licence?
Purchasing music either digitally on a CD, record or tape permits you to listen to it at home for your personal use. However, if this music is played outside your home as a public performance, then you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence.
If you're unsure about whether you need TheMusicLicence for your music, please contact us.
Speak to our friendly team today
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday) - I need a licence or permit for an event?
New customers
If you don’t currently have TheMusicLicence for your business or organisation, but are planning an event that includes the playing or performing of music in public, we can arrange for a temporary permit to cover the music usage at the event.
Please contact us to arrange a temporary permit for your event.
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
Existing customers
If you already have TheMusicLicence for your business or organisation and need to include an event on your music usage, we can amend your music usage in your existing licence to ensure you are legally covered for the music at your event.
Please contact us to amend your music usage.
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
Charity & Community Events
Charity and community organisations may apply for a discount against the standard royalty made for events or featured music sessions in certain circumstances.
Before you apply for Charity and Community Discount, please make sure that you have read the qualification criteria for a possible discount.
- Is it just 'another' form of Tax?
The fees payable for TheMusicLicence are not a form of tax.
We work on behalf of our parent companies, PPL and PRS for Music, who between them, represent thousands of music creators whose music is protected by copyright, and whose permission is therefore needed in order to play or perform music in public.
When businesses and organisations purchase TheMusicLicence, after deduction of our business costs, all of the licence fees collected flow back to PPL and PRS for Music to process, allocate and distribute royalties to the music creators they represent.
Learn more about PPL and PRS for Music and where the money goes.
- What are the Terms and Conditions of TheMusicLicence?
You can view TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions online.
- Why should I play music in my business?
Whatever your business – coffee shop, beauty or hair salon, cocktail bar or restaurant, clothing retailer or offices, factories and workplaces - music has the potential to enhance the experience you provide to your customers, visitors and employees.
The music you play can be as much a part of your brand image as your logo. It could be the deciding factor for a customer when choosing between you and your competitors!
Purchasing TheMusicLicence for your music usage ensures you are legally entitled to play millions of commercially released songs and recordings from all over the world. And in doing so, you are also helping the writers and performers to be fairly rewarded for their work.
Get TheMusicLicence for your business or organisation and put the essential energy of music at the heart of your business!
- How much does TheMusicLicence cost?
The cost of TheMusicLicence for a particular business or organisation depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the business or organisation and the ways it uses music.
Things like the size of a business are measured in different ways under different tariffs, depending on what is appropriate for each business type. So, to calculate your fee, we may need you to provide information such as square meterage, number of employees, or venue capacity. We may also need to know the types of devices you use to play recorded music, and information about any live performances of music.
PPL and PRS for Music will continue to set their respective licensing tariffs separately from each other. Those tariffs will be applied by PPL PRS Ltd when issuing TheMusicLicence to customers. PPL and PRS for Music will each continue to review the cost of their respective tariffs from time to time, but the launch of TheMusicLicence will not in itself affect the costs under those tariffs.
- Using music in your political campaign - what you need to know.
To play music at your political campaign, you will need to make a request to the rights holder in advance to playing their music, as it will be under copyright law. During elections, you may want to include a catchy walk on song or a fun jingle to resonate with your party and make it a memorable campaign.
The creators of this music will be protected Under The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, meaning the creators and rights holders have the exclusive right to choose how their work is used, including public performances.
By contacting the relevant people and seeking permission, it ensures the music aspect of your campaign is all above board and legally compliant. By making the request before using their music, it’ll prevent potential distributions or negative connotations by using unauthorised music.
Terms & Conditions of TheMusicLicence, administered by PPL PRS Ltd, explicitly exclude the political use of music without the permission of the relevant rights owners.
The responsibility for obtaining the Music Licence depends on where the performance takes place:
- If the performance is within premises covered by TheMusicLicence for background music (e.g. a hotel, pub, conference centre), the venue is responsible for obtaining the licence.
- If the performance is in a venue or area not normally licensed (e.g. a park or street), the candidate or party should obtain TheMusicLicence directly from PPL PRS Ltd after securing permission from rights owners.
For more advice on navigating the use of music in political campaigns, you can read more from PPL as they further outline the specific terms and conditions of using music within a political campaign.
Florist & Garden Centre Music Licence
Whether you’re playing music in garden centres, florists or horticultural businesses; you’ll usually need a music licence.
Garden centres can stimulate the imagination and creativity for homeowners and avid gardeners alike. But your garden centre is more than just the plants you sell.
From the popular organic treats offered in cafés to outstanding seasonal displays designed to inspire. It’s about creating an environment your customers can feel comfortable and relaxed in.
Do I need a music licence for my florist or garden centre?
You might not realise it but music is protected by copyright, and businesses and organisations have to get permission from the music creators to play or perform their works in public. TheMusicLicence allows you to legally play music for customers and employees in your office or workplace through the radio, TV and other digital devices.
By obtaining TheMusicLicence you’ll be able to play virtually all commercially released music legally and enjoy its benefits whilst ensuring that its creators are fairly rewarded for their work.
Helping your success grow
Music can be an important part of day-to-day life for many people, particularly during their leisure time, which is why it could feel like something missing if you don’t play music in your garden centre.
In order to play or perform music legally in your garden centre, florist or horticultural business you may need TheMusicLicence. This ensures permission is granted from the relevant copyright holders in relation to the vast majority of commercially available music.
By obtaining TheMusicLicence you’ll be able to legally play music created by PRS for Music and PPL members, and enjoy its benefits whilst ensuring that its creators are fairly rewarded for their work.
Benefits of music
Music has the power to enhance the atmosphere and be an integral part of your customer experience. Playing it in your garden centre could help to create an upbeat, positive environment that reflects seasonal activities such as Christmas and awareness days like Valentines Day.
There are many benefits of playing music in your garden centre or nursery, but did you know that playing music can also help plants to grow?
Playing music could help to increase:
Increase
- Engagement
- Focus
- Positivity
- Productivity
- Team morale
- Plant growth
- Plant stimulation
- Customer retention
- Customer satisfaction
- Brand awareness
Music can have an influence on all the above. However, what do you think are the most important features to enhance your customers’ experience? Colours, fragrance, lighting? 21% of people choose music as the most important sensory stimulant when creating a positive shopping experience3.
From shopping to dining, your garden centre may offer other services than just horticultural products. The music repertoires covered by TheMusicLicence contain millions of songs and recordings, including the most popular and well-loved music not just from the UK, but also from around the world. With music you can create the environment you want for your garden centre.
So, whether that’s playing pop music to tempt 35% of shoppers to treat themselves to extravagant clothes or playing classical music in your restaurant or café to encourage 31% of diners to order more expensive items on the menu.3
In conclusion, music can play an important, all-encompassing role in your customers’ experience within the various areas of your garden centre.
3) A survey of 2,101 UK respondents by Perspectus Global in September 2021.
Music & staff morale
Listening to music at work has the potential to make us feel positive and upbeat and could create a calming environment, relieving stress and other anxieties that employees may experience.
81% of people enjoy listening to background music whilst at work. By creating an environment your employees enjoy working in, it has the potential to make staff feel more valued, improving their overall attitude and performance1.
Furthermore, this improvement in atmosphere could impact your workplace in several ways. For instance, a happy working environment could lead to improvements in attendance, retention and an overall sense of involvement.
Music & statistics
84%
agree that playing music creates a better customer experience1.
89%
of people surveyed said playing music helps to lift the atmosphere at work2.
82%
of gardeners surveyed said they play music while they garden4.
- We surveyed 500 people in the UK to discover the impact of listening to background music when purchasing goods and receiving other services from various sectors. Survey conducted via Attest in February 2023.
- We surveyed 500 people in the UK who are working in offices and workplaces currently playing background music. Survey conducted via Attest in January 2023.
- A survey of 2,101 UK respondents by Perspectus Global in September 2021.
- We surveyed 1,000 people in the UK who are interested in gardening and/or houseplant owners in October 2022 via Attest.
How much does a music licence cost for my florist or garden centre?
The cost of TheMusicLicence depends on a number of factors, including your type of venue and how you use music in your day-to-day operations, whether that be for background purposes or other usages such as music on hold.
Background music
Starts from...On hold music
Starts from...* All cost examples are subject to change
Quote Checklist
Before contacting us, please ensure you’ve read our Quote Checklist for each section that is applicable to you, and have the relevant information ready so we can provide an accurate quote for your workplace music licence.
Background music
- Number of employees, working days and hours of operation.
- The areas where music is used, such as office areas, factory floors etc.
- Type of devices used to play music, such as radio, CDs, TVs etc.
- The square meterage of each area where music is audible.
Music on hold
- Number of external lines.
Garden Centre FAQs
Get a quote
If you’ve got all your information ready, please contact us or complete our Get TheMusicLicence form to arrange a quote.
Call us on 0116 290 0525
(8am-6pm, Monday-Friday)
Garden Centre Brochure
Read our full guide to using music in your office and workplace here
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Thinking about playing music in your workplace and want to know more?
What is TheMusicLicence?
What is TheMusicLicence
Do I need a music licence?
Do I need a music licence?
Where does my money go?
Where does my money go?
**An office with 4 or fewer workers could play music for £104.82 providing the music is not audible to customers or other visitors to the premises.
How do I get TheMusicLicence?
Call us on 0116 290 0525
(8am-6pm, Monday-Friday)
Alternatively you can complete the online form and an adviser will be in touch.