Live music helps boost pub takings
Pubs that feature live music take 44% more money than those that don't.
That's a key finding of a new survey, which found music can help struggling pubs survive the recession.
The survey has been carried out by CGA on behalf of music licensing body PRS for Music, which this week is offering a £5,000 live-music makeover for two licensees (see box).
CGA surveyed 500 bars of all types to find the impact of music events and found:
• Pubs hosting live or recorded music events, such as discos, take 44% more (£229 per day) than those that don't.
• The figure at weekends is 60% (£485) and 31% (£126) on Sundays to Thursdays.
• On average music venues sell 90 more products per day, rising to as many as 183 at weekends.
• 80% of licensees believe live music would help them survive the recession.
• 24% of hosts said takings rise 25%-50% when they have live music; 71% said it rises 10%-25%.
• 91% of bars see a 25%-50% trade uplift during discos/DJ events.
PRS for Music spokeswoman Debbie Mulloy said: "Music helps businesses grow and keeps customers coming back, even in a downturn. We want to make sure the pub industry is getting all the benefit it can from using music, because grassroots venues are vital to the music industry."
The survey found 30% hosted live music between two and five days per week. Around one in seven (16%) did so on weekends only and the same proportion host events on one or two days. A significant minority (9%) do so at least five days per week.
Other music stats
• 25% charge £3-£5 entry for live music events. One in five want £5 or more, 8% charge between £1 and £3 and 47% set a different figure
• For recorded music events, 56% charge £3-£5, with 26% charging £1-£3 and 11% £5 or more
• 48% of bars have a monthly budget of £500-£1,000 for providing live music; 32% have a budget up to £500
• Budgets are similar for DJs; 44% have £500-£1,000 to play with and 32% have up to £500
• 95% said budgets haven't changed in the past 12 months
• 99% have had no recent issues over music with police or councils
• 10% said more support from their pub company would encourage them to provide more music
• 5% have a separate music area — of those, 66% have a capacity of 100-250 in the section
Win a music makeover
Two pubs will win a £5,000 live-music makeover — plus advice from experts — in the new Music Makeover competition from PRS for Music.
To enter visit www.prsformusic.com/musicmakeover to fill in an online form and submit a short video, which can be recorded on a mobile phone.
The campaign is supported by the Musicians' Union and the British Beer & Pub Association, whose chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: "Music is one of the most positive ways for pubs to keep customers coming through the doors.
Meanwhile, PRS for Music is sending advice packs on hosting live music to 45,000 pubs.
