Ban on music is radio ga-ga
A newsagent has been told he can't play a radio in his shop – unless he pays pop stars for the privilege.
Terry Hornby was shocked when he received a letter from the Performing Rights Society saying he needed a 56 licence to listen to songs by artists such as Robbie Williams and Madonna.
The royalty-collecting society said Mr Hornby could be taken to court if he continued to play the radio without a licence.
And it's not only newsagents who are affected – the rules extend to all businesses including hairdressers, garages, pubs, shops and offices even if customers couldn't hear the music.
Mr Hornby, director of Newsbox in Brockhurst Road, Gosport, said: 'Initially we thought it was a scam or just a piece of advertising, but this is genuine.
'I heard something a few weeks ago about hairdressers being targeted. We weren't playing to entice customers it was just to try and keep the staff sane during a long day. It's barmy.
'We're a small business and don't want to get a fine so we've taken the radio out.'
Adrian Crookes from PRS said letters had been sent to small businesses because often they were unaware they were breaking the law.
sion.donovan@thenews.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
