Key Takeaways
- Any business playing commercial music via a streaming service, radio, CD, TV or any other source is legally required to hold a PRS PPL music licence under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988).
- TheMusicLicence is issued jointly by PRS and PPL and covers both royalty obligations in a single payment. For a small shop up to 100m², it costs £450.99 + VAT per year in 2026.
- If you are found to be playing music without a licence, your first invoice will include a 50% surcharge on top of the standard rate.
- Royalty-free music is a fully legal alternative that requires no PRS or PPL licence. The artists are not registered with PRS or PPL. Instead, their royalties are collected by a music licensing company.
- Background Sounds is a UK royalty-free music service costing £150 + VAT per year, a flat fee regardless of your business type or size. A free 7-day trial is available with no card details required.
If you want to play music in your business legally, you have two options: purchase a music licence from PRS PPL, or switch to royalty-free music and save money.
This guide explains both options, how they work, how to choose the right one for your business and example costs.
Can I Play Background Music in My Business?
The short answer is yes. Any business can play background music to help create the perfect atmosphere for its employees and customers. However, to play it legally without the risk of big fines and legal action, you must have the correct type of music licence.
When you play commercial music in your business for your customers and staff, it’s classed as a public performance of the music. Legislation states that you must obtain the copyright holder’s permission to publicly perform their music. To comply with the law and play copyrighted music in your business, you need to purchase a music licence from PPL PRS, which is the body that collects royalty payments and distributes them to artists, distributors and composers.
When it comes to playing music legally in a UK business, there are two options. Pay PRS and PPL for a music licence to play commercial music. Or play royalty-free music.
The Music Licence UK
Option 1: Purchase TheMusicLicence from PRS PPL
PRS (Performing Rights Society) and PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) are the two organisations that collect royalties on behalf of music copyright holders in the UK. Together they operate TheMusicLicence, a single combined licence that allows you to legally play any mainstream commercial music in your business.
If you want to play music from Spotify, Apple Music, the radio, a CD or a TV, this is the licence you need.
What does it cost?
The cost depends on your business type and the size of your audible area. A few examples from the 2026 tariffs:
- Small shop (audible area up to 100m²): £450.99 + VAT per year
- Café or restaurant (up to 500m², up to 30 seats): £588 + VAT per year
- Hair salon (6–10 seats): £391.55 + VAT per year
Payment is made upfront for the full year. The licence renews automatically and requires written cancellation notice at least one month before the end of the contract.
What happens if you don’t have one?
PRS and PPL actively monitor commercial premises for unlicensed music use. If they contact you before you have a licence in place, your first invoice will include a 50% surcharge on top of the standard rate. Meaning a small shop’s first bill would be approximately £676.49 + VAT rather than £450.99 + VAT.
Is the Music Licence Legally Enforceable?
Yes. Having the appropriate music licence is a legal requirement; you are infringing copyright laws if you play live or recorded music in public without a licence. PPL PRS are proactive in ensuring businesses play music legally and conduct site visits and telephone calls to collect evidence of illegal music use.
Fines for not having a music licence can run into hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds, depending on the size of your business.
Option 2: Switch to Royalty-Free Music
Royalty-free music, also known as licence-free music, is a fully legal alternative that removes the need for a PRS PPL licence entirely.
Here is how it works. The artists behind royalty-free music are not registered with PRS or PPL. Instead, they have chosen to be paid through a music licensing company. Because PRS and PPL do not represent those artists, there is no licence obligation passed on to you as the business owner. You can play music legally in your business without purchasing TheMusicLicence.
This is not a loophole (though it may feel like one!); it is a recognised, legal licensing model used by thousands of UK businesses.
What to look for in a royalty-free music provider:
- A broad range of professionally curated playlists across multiple genres.
- Regular updates, with new music added monthly, so playlists don’t become stale.
- A certificate of subscription issued automatically. This is your documented proof that you are playing music legally, and what you send if PRS PPL ever contact your business
Background Sounds is a specialist UK royalty-free music service with over 70 professionally curated playlists covering 20+ genres, with new music added every month.
A subscription costs £150 + VAT per year or £15 +VAT per month. A flat fee regardless of your business type or size.
What Our Customers Say…
Lovely Atmosphere
It has helped to create a lovely atmosphere for our customers to shop in and for our staff and volunteers to work in.
Victoria Canavan
Love Mixing it Up
My team have become mini DJ’s as they love mixing up the music to suit the mood in the salon and the weather outside.
Nikki Froud
Love it!
Background Sounds is 100% perfect for my fitness business. Royalty-free playlists for every type of class, mood and energy level. From chilled out yoga to high energy techno! Love it 🙂
Soozi Kay
Try Royalty-Free Music Free for 7 Days
Join over 1,000 UK businesses already playing music legally without a PRS PPL licence. Try Background Sounds free for 7 days, full access to all 70+ playlists, no card details required, no commitment.
- Free 7-day trial — no card details required
- £150 + VAT per year or £15 +VAT per month flat fee regardless of business type or size
- Certificate of subscription issued automatically
- Stream from any device. No specialist equipment needed
- Cancel anytime on the monthly plan
Questions? Get in touch at support@backgroundsounds.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a music licence to play music in my business?
Yes, if you play commercial music in your business, whether through the radio, TV, CDs, or streaming service, it is classed as a public performance. Under UK copyright law, this requires permission from the copyright holders and is obtained by purchasing TheMusicLicence from PRS and PPL.
However, if you use properly licensed royalty-free music, you do not need a PRS or PPL licence.
2. What happens if I play music in my business without a licence?
PRS and PPL actively monitor commercial premises and will contact businesses they believe are operating without a licence. If they identify that you have been playing unlicensed music, your first invoice will include a 50% surcharge on top of the standard licence rate, meaning a small shop’s first bill could be approximately £676.49 + VAT rather than the standard £450.99 + VAT. In serious cases, legal action can follow.
3. Is royalty-free music legal to use in a business in the UK?
Yes, royalty-free artists have chosen to be paid through a music licensing company rather than through PRS and PPL. Because they are not registered with PRS or PPL, businesses playing their music have no licence obligation. It is a fully legal, recognised model used by thousands of UK businesses.
To stay compliant, use a provider that issues a certificate of subscription as documented proof. Background Sounds does this automatically for all paid members.
4. Can I use Spotify or Apple Music in my business without a licence?
No. Personal streaming accounts, including paid premium accounts, are licensed for private home use only. Using them in a commercial setting is a breach of their terms of service and UK copyright law, regardless of whether you have a paid account.
You need either a PRS PPL licence and a streaming service designed for commercial use or a royalty-free music subscription.
5. What is the cheapest legal way to play music in my business?
Royalty-free music is the most cost-effective legal option for most businesses. Background Sounds costs £150 + VAT per year regardless of your business type or size. We’re typically 50-70% cheaper than purchasing a PRS PPL music licence.
6. How do I prove to PRS PPL that I don’t need a licence?
If PRS PPL contacts your business, you need to show you are playing royalty-free music from a legitimate provider. Background Sounds issues a certificate of subscription automatically to all paid members. Present this to PRS PPL as proof that your music carries no licence obligation.
Further Reading
Background Sounds is a specialist provider of royalty-free music. Working with small businesses looking to play music without the need to buy a PRS PPL Music Licence.
Access to the service is via online music streaming and is available with a subscription. You can find out all you need to know on our home page here.
