Average PPL set to rise by 200%
by John Harrington
The average British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) member pub will face a 200% price hike on its licence to play background music when the new charges are put in place two years from now, the association has warned.
The cost of the PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) licence, which allow pubs to play background music, has been re-adjusted in line with changes in copyright laws. The new costs, to be in place in 2006, are based on the size of the pub, but some larger venues could see the licences rise by 500%.
Prices start at £100 for premises up to 100 square metres, and they go up by £100 for every extra 100 square metres.
Currently pubs that are up to 400 square metres will pay £85.63 for the licence. But the new system for working out charges means that a pub of 400 square metres will pay £400.
And pubs with 1,000 square metres will see their licences leap from £214.05 to £1,000 a rise of almost 500%.
Dorset lessee Bob Henderson, of the Wise Man Inn at West Stafford, said: "This could be detrimental to the pub industry with all the other issues at the moment, such as smoking and licensing laws. Everything is stacked against the licensee."
BBPA spokeswoman Christine Milburn said: "We are not happy about the rises and are in talks with PPL about it. It is quite a significant increase with some venues facing a rise of up to 500%."
PPL spokeswoman Jill Drew said the price changes are because now radio and TV come under copyright law.
"After consultation with the trade it became obvious they wanted one rate for all uses TV, radio, CD, jukebox. The band structure makes it fairer on the smaller music user," she said.
"You have to look at the real cost of what you are paying. If it is £400 a year, that is just £7.60 a week which is a couple of pints. That is incredibly good value."
She added: "If you just have a TV or radio you will get a discounted rate." For more information see www.ppluk.com
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