Music licensing in the UK
What PRS and PPL cost in 2026
A business in the UK that plays recorded music to its customers or staff needs TheMusicLicence, which PPL PRS Ltd sells for both societies. PRS for Music collects for the songwriters and publishers, and PPL for the performers and record labels. Each prices the venue by its own measure, such as the area where the music is heard, the seats or the styling chairs.
A 100 m² shop pays £450.99 a year: £246.80 to PRS for Music and £204.19 to PPL, without VAT.
What a venue pays a year
For one location, from the societies' published tariffs for background music, without VAT.
Shop or store
100 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £246.80
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £204.19
- Total a year
- £450.99
Shop or store
300 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £473.70
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £204.19
- Total a year
- £677.89
Shop or store
1,000 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £813.60
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £345.63
- Total a year
- £1,159
Restaurant or café
30 seats, 60 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £346.08
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £204.19
- Total a year
- £550.27
Restaurant or café
60 seats, 120 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £576.78
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £204.19
- Total a year
- £780.97
Restaurant or café
120 seats, 250 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £922.83
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £204.19
- Total a year
- £1,127
Bar or pub
80 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £320.94
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £204.19
- Total a year
- £525.13
Bar or pub
150 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £481.41
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £204.19
- Total a year
- £685.60
Gym or fitness studio
300 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £881.72
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £193.42
- Total a year
- £1,075
Gym or fitness studio
800 m²
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £1,219
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £193.42
- Total a year
- £1,412
Hair or beauty salon
3 chairs
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £125.00
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £226.65
- Total a year
- £351.65
Hair or beauty salon
6 chairs
- PRS for MusicSongwriters and publishers
- £164.90
- PPLPerformers and record labels
- £226.65
- Total a year
- £391.55
The figures are for recorded background music, such as a playlist or a streaming service, at the standard rates. A venue that plays only the radio or TV can pay less. In a shop where 5 or more people work, owners included, PRS for Music also charges its workplace tariff for music in staff areas. Live music, DJs and fitness classes have their own tariffs.
Work out the fee for your own venueOr play music that no society bills for
Tonada composes original music for your brand and registers it with no collecting society, so PRS for Music and PPL have nothing to bill. You pay for your Tonada subscription, everything included, and get a certificate to show any inspector.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you play recorded music. You get both through one licence, TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS Ltd. The table on this page shows each society's share of the fee.
Sometimes. PRS for Music charges less for a radio that plays no recorded music. In a restaurant or café, this applies at any size. In a pub or bar, the radio must be a portable set with its own speakers. In a shop, the only music must come from one portable radio or one small TV (26 inches or less), audible over 100 m² or less. PPL charges half its fee when the music is audible over 50 m² or less and comes only from BBC radio, licensed FM or AM stations, or BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4, S4C and Five. For a salon, the limit is 5 chairs instead of 50 m². A gym pays the full fee. The figures on this page are for recorded music, such as a playlist or a streaming service.
No. PPL PRS publishes its prices without VAT, and so does this page. VAT is added to the invoice.
No. Spotify's terms allow personal use only, and TheMusicLicence does not change that. A business needs a music service that is licensed for business use.
No. Tonada's music is registered with no collecting society, so PRS for Music and PPL have nothing to bill for it. You get a certificate to show any inspector. This applies when Tonada's music is the only music you play.
Sources
PRS for Music, 2026 tariff
PPL, 2026 tariff
Your brand's own music, with no fees to PRS for Music and PPL
Tonada composes music for your brand and plays it in every location, adapted to the time of day. One subscription covers everything.
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