Small stores will not be eligible for a new low-cost licence for music, as reported in Convenience Store, March 20.

Last week PRS for Music said it was introducing a new rate for workplaces with fewer than five staff to help small businesses in “an exceptionally difficult trading time.”

However, it has now explained that shops are not included within its definition of workplaces. A spokeswoman said: “Workplaces are offices, factories or the staff-only areas of a premises. If a retail store purchases a music cicence to cover the customer area of a store, it will also be covered for any music in staff-only areas for up to four staff.”

The cost of a licence for music played to customers in a shop starts at £73.60 a year and varies according to store size.

To download the full licensing tariff  go to http://www.prsformusic.com/sitecollectiondocuments/pps%20tariffs/tariff%20rs.pdf]