Music can help pubs beat the recession

11th December 2009, 1:00pm

Pubs with featured music take on average 44% more money than pubs without, rising to 60% on weekends, research has revealed.

PRS for Music, the organisation that collects royalties for songwriters and composers, has released research into the positive impact of featured music, both live and recorded, on sales in pubs. 

The research, conducted with pub-data specialists CGA, is released as PRS for Music launches its 'Music Makeover' campaign in partnership with the Musicians' Union and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA). The campaign aims to keep music and pubs at the heart of community life – helping pubs understand how to introduce music and maximise the business benefits.

Research found that music pubs have higher takings every day of the week, 80% of pub managers said they felt music would help them survive the recession, and pubs with featured music are three times more likely to stay open.

To coincide with the campaign, PRS for Music have launched a competition to find two local pubs in need of a 'Music Makeover'.

PRS for Music will be spending up to £5000 on each pub, as well as giving them all the advice they need, including expert help from the Musicians' Union and successful music pubs around the country. 

45,000 pubs nationwide will be sent advice packs from PRS for Music in 2010 with an invite to follow the story of the Music Makeover pubs online.

Debbie Mulloy, director public performance sales of PRS for Music said "Music helps businesses grow and keeps customers coming back, even in a downturn. We want to make sure the pub industry is getting all the benefit it can from using music, because grassroots venues like pubs and clubs are vital to the music industry.  We need to work together to protect the future of British music and British pubs."

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive added: "We're very proud of the vital role pubs play in fostering live music, and bringing people together to enjoy it.  Trading conditions for pubs are very tough, and it's clear from this research that music is one of the most positive ways for pubs to keep customers coming through the doors."

Related Articles:

• 15 Feb 2010 - Pubs, hotels and restaurants guaranteed £20m music fee refund

Click here to submit a comment!

Colin

11 December 2009 at 10:05pm

Of course one thing that the PRS do omit to say is that you can have quality music and entertainment without the prs fees, just tune into www.rfmradio.co.uk music by unsigned bands all presented by professional djs. Its on 24 hours a day So tune in today and avoid PRS and PPL fees

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