Retail motor sector businesses could face paying several different music industry bodies for public entertainment licenses if they are found to be playing music in a public area, and the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) is seeking a legal resolution to the problem.

Sue Robinson, RMIF director, said: “Despite the fact that the law requires businesses that play music in a public area to undertake a license, there is no single body that enforces the law on the issue.

“Instead, there are a number of bodies that represent music artists, authors, music producers and musicians, including the Performing Rights Society (PRS), and PPL, originally known as Phonographic Performance Limited, as well as a number of others.

"Because PRS, PPL, and the other bodies represent different artists, businesses are likely to need to undertake licences with each organisation.”

Businesses can also be charged retrospectively if they are contacted by one of these bodies and found to have music playing in the background.

Robinson said: “This is a ridiculous situation and the RMIF is currently taking legal advice on this issue. In the mean time businesses that do not wish to face paying for multiple music licenses should make sure there is no music in the workplace.

"Crew rooms and rest areas require a separate license at additional cost.”