Radio ban is petty says butcher

- Published: 03 July, 2008

A clampdown on butchers playing radios in their shops has been condemned by a Durham butcher as "petty" and "a bit of a witchhunt".

Harry Coates, who runs an award-winning butchers, told MTJ that he had heard of several fellow butchers who have been told by the Performing Rights Society (PRS) that they risked being fined if they continued to play a radio without a licence.

Businesses are required to obtain an entertainment licence, which can cost between £70 and £2,000 depending on its size, if they play a radio that can be heard by customers.

Harry said he only played a radio for his staff in preparation areas, so that their working day is "a bit more pleasant". But he condemned the targeting by the PRS as "a step too far" and questioned why they needed to pursue small businesses in this way.

Earlier this year, South Yorkshire butcher Mark Gray, who runs a business in Thurcroft village near Rotherham, was approached by the PRS to turn off his radio or face a fine if he refused to get a licence.

The PRS represents artists and composers by protecting their copyright over material.