Do you need a licence to play music in your business?
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 30 August 2026 · Facts checked against PPL PRS Ltd's published guidance and GOV.UK's licence finder on the date above
If staff or customers can hear music playing at your business - through a radio, a streaming playlist, a TV, or a live performer - you almost certainly need TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS Ltd.
Unlike most licences on this site, there's no fixed public price: the cost is a bespoke quote based on your business type, size and how the music is used.
This guide covers who actually needs it, what it covers, why "I already pay my TV licence" or "it's just the radio" doesn't get you out of it, and how to get a quote.
This is general information, not legal advice. TheMusicLicence is issued by a private company, not a government body - for your exact situation, contact PPL PRS directly rather than relying on general guidance like this.
Why this is different from every other page on this site
Every other licence on applyforlicence.co.uk is issued by a government body, regulator or local council.
TheMusicLicence is not: it's issued by PPL PRS Ltd, a joint venture set up by PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) and PRS for Music, the two collecting societies that license recorded music and musical compositions on behalf of performers, record labels, songwriters and publishers.
We're covering it here anyway because GOV.UK's own business licence finder tool surfaces it as something to check for many business types, and because "do I need a licence to play music in my shop" is exactly the kind of confusing, easy-to-miss requirement this site exists to explain plainly.
What does TheMusicLicence actually cover?
TheMusicLicence covers playing or performing music in public through virtually any source - radio, TV, streaming services, CDs, digital devices, and live performances.
It licenses "virtually all commercially released music available", according to PPL PRS - meaning you don't need to license each individual track or artist separately.
The one thing it doesn't cover is music explicitly sold or labelled as royalty-free, which by definition doesn't need a performance licence to play in public.
Why playing the radio still needs a licence
The most common misconception is that because a radio station has already paid for the right to broadcast a song, playing that broadcast in your business is automatically covered too.
It isn't: the radio station's own licence covers its right to broadcast the music, not your business's right to play that broadcast in public to staff or customers - those are two separate permissions under copyright law.
The same logic applies to a personal Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Premium subscription - those are licensed for private, personal listening, not for playing in a business open to staff or the public.
Which businesses typically need it?
| Business type | Typical trigger |
|---|---|
| Shops, cafes and restaurants | Background music audible to customers or staff |
| Hairdressers, salons and gyms | Radio, streaming playlists or in-class music |
| Offices, factories and warehouses | Radio playing for staff, even with no public access |
| Pubs, bars and hotels | Background music, live performances, or both |
| Venues hosting live or staged music | Concerts, festivals, open-mic nights, function-room bands |
This table shows typical triggers, not an exhaustive PPL PRS classification - if in doubt, contact PPL PRS directly to check your specific situation.
What does it cost?
There's no published price list - PPL PRS confirms the cost "depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the business", including things like floor area, employee count, customer capacity and how the music is used (background, live, or both).
That means we can't give you a figure here without misleading you - the only way to get a real number is to contact PPL PRS or complete their online form for a quote.
What if you don't get one?
Playing music in public without the right permission is a copyright infringement under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
We couldn't confirm a specific published fine or penalty figure for this in PPL PRS's current guidance - what we can confirm is that it's a real legal exposure, not a technicality, since the rights holders (via PPL PRS) can pursue a business for the licence fees it should have been paying.
How to get a quote
- Work out how music is actually used at your business - background only, live performances, or both.
- Contact PPL PRS by phone or through their online quote form to explain your business type and size.
- Get the quote in writing before agreeing to anything, and check exactly what it covers.
- Keep proof of your licence on file in case of a compliance visit.
- Review it if your business changes - moving premises, growing your team, or adding live music can change what you owe.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence just to play the radio in my shop?
Yes - the radio station's licence covers its own broadcast, not your business playing that broadcast in public, so you still need TheMusicLicence.
Does my personal Spotify or Apple Music subscription cover my business?
No - personal streaming subscriptions are licensed for private listening only, not for playing music where staff or customers can hear it.
Is TheMusicLicence a government licence?
No - it's issued by PPL PRS Ltd, a private company set up by the PPL and PRS for Music collecting societies, not by any government body.
How much does TheMusicLicence cost?
There's no fixed public price - PPL PRS gives a bespoke quote based on factors like your business size, employee count and how you use music, so you need to contact them directly for a number.
Do I need a licence if I only play music in a staff-only area?
Generally yes, if employees can hear it - "in public" for this purpose covers your workplace and staff, not just areas customers can access. Check your specific case with PPL PRS.
Does royalty-free music need a licence?
No - music explicitly sold or labelled as royalty-free doesn't require a performance licence to play in public.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to PPL PRS Ltd, PPL, PRS for Music, GOV.UK or any government body. TheMusicLicence is a private commercial licence, not a statutory or government one - this page is general information, not legal advice, and for anything specific to your business, contact PPL PRS directly.