Radio ga ga at Bolton pasty shop
10:40am Wednesday 8th October 2008 in Search Module
By Jane Lavender, News editor
PULLING THE PLUG: Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe owner Marie Walsh, left, and Sarah Elliott remove the radio from the store
SILENCE has fallen on a town centre pasty shop after staff were banned from listening to the radio by broadcast bureaucrats.
The ban, which has been imposed by the Performing Rights Society, has infuriated workers and bosses at Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe in Churchgate, who have been forced to switch off the two radios used in the bakery and kitchen.
Bosses at the shop have been told they must pay £180, plus VAT, for a PRS music licence, to allow staff to carry on listening to music while they are working.
Owner Marie Walsh said: “It’s just like Big Brother is watching you and absolutely ridiculous.
“Staff really enjoyed listening to the music while they worked. It couldn’t be heard in the shop.”
The PRS insisted the licence fee was vital in ensuring songwriters, musicians and composers were properly paid.
Any business that plays music in public to employees must have a licence.
