Music licence for business
Music licence for business, for spas and salons.
A plain-English guide for spa, salon and clinic owners. What the law asks for, the three ways to cover your music, and how a licence from the composer works.
The plain-English answer
Do you need a music licence?
If you play recorded music at your business, you usually need a licence. That includes music only your staff can hear. For most music, that licence is TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS.
There is one clear exception. GOV.UK says: “You do not need a licence to play royalty-free music.” PPL PRS also says you may not need TheMusicLicence if you don't use the music it looks after.
That's where Dawn Chorus comes in. Every track is written and owned by Dawn Chorus, and none of it has ever been registered with PRS, PPL or any other collecting society. We license it to your venue directly, with a certificate in your venue's name.
Playing anything else too, like the radio, the TV or a streaming app? That music still needs TheMusicLicence.
How Dawn Chorus licensing works
A named venue licence
Each licence is made out to one venue, with its name and address. It covers every room, therapist and session there.
A licence for every venue
Run a group or a hotel spa chain? Add each site at checkout, as many as you need. Every venue gets its own certificate. Groups of 5+ venues get 10% off. Groups of 20+ get 15% off.
One flat price per venue
Billed every quarter or once a year, whatever the size of the venue. No measuring, no room counts, and you can cancel anytime.
A certificate as proof
A fresh certificate with every renewal, showing your venue and the dates it covers. Keep it on file in case anyone asks what you play.
£99
per venue, per quarter, on the Essentials plan
What it covers
What the licence covers, and what it doesn't.
It covers Dawn Chorus music at the venue named on your certificate, for as long as your plan is active.
Covered
- Dawn Chorus music at the venue on your certificate
- Receptions, treatment rooms, relaxation areas and changing rooms
- Staff rooms and back offices at that venue
- Every therapist and every session, all day
- Playing it for as long as your plan is active
Not covered
- Any other music at the venue, such as the radio, TV, streaming apps or your own playlists
- Venues that aren't named on your certificate
- Using the music in videos, adverts or podcasts you publish
- Sharing or reselling the files
Playing other music as well? Your Dawn Chorus licence covers Dawn Chorus tracks only. Any other music at your venue still needs TheMusicLicence.
Your options
Three ways to play music legally at work.
Each one works. They suit different venues. Here's a fair look at all three.
Option 01
TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS
One licence for the vast majority of commercially available music.
- Play the radio, TV, CDs and most commercial music
- Priced by business type and size
- Paid every year
- You still need a legal way to play the music
Option 02
A business streaming service
Apps with playlists made for shops, salons and spas.
- Large libraries and ready-made playlists
- Priced per zone, monthly or yearly
- Some include TheMusicLicence and some don't, so check
- Needs a device and a connection all day
Option 03
A direct licence from the composer
Music licensed straight to your venue by the person who wrote it. This is how Dawn Chorus works.
- One flat price per venue, billed quarterly
- No measuring and no room counts
- Licensed directly by the composer, never registered with a collecting society
- A focused library of long collections, growing over time
The collections
The collections, made for treatment rooms.
Each one comes as a 60-minute file and a 10-hour file. No ads, no gaps and nothing to log into.
Float tanks · Deep tissue massage · Sauna
Still Water
Still Water is calm, warm and slightly melancholic: a slow angelic drone that hovers between contentment and quiet reflection.
PreviewPlay a sample
0:00
from £99 a quarterLicense
Hot stone massage · Reflexology · Aromatherapy
Warm Ground (432 Hz)
Warm Ground is rooted and unhurried.
PreviewPlay a sample
0:00
from £99 a quarterLicense
Questions
Music licence FAQs
Do I need a music licence for my business?
Usually, yes. If you play recorded music at work, even just for staff, you normally need a licence. For most music, that's TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS. Royalty-free music and music licensed directly by its owner are the main exceptions.
Is Dawn Chorus a PPL PRS alternative?
For its own music. Dawn Chorus tracks have never been registered with PRS or PPL, and we license them to your venue directly. Anything else you play still needs TheMusicLicence.
How much does Dawn Chorus cost?
One flat price per venue: Essentials is £99 a quarter and Full Library is £149 a quarter, or about 10% less if you pay yearly. Groups of 5+ venues get 10% off. Groups of 20+ get 15% off. You'll see every price at checkout before you pay.
What do I show PPL PRS if they ask?
Your current Dawn Chorus certificate. It names your venue, the music it covers and the dates it runs. PPL PRS suggests asking your music supplier for confirmation and sending it on to them.
Is it just for spas, or salons too?
It suits any treatment space. Day spas, hotel spas, salons, beauty and massage clinics and treatment rooms all use it the same way. The licence covers the venue named on the certificate.
This page is general guidance, not legal advice. If you're not sure what your venue needs, contact PPL PRS or a legal adviser.