Starting A Music Shop In The Uk: Legal Must-Dos
Music is, rightfully, an obsession for many of us. Above and beyond soundtracking the more boring parts of our morning commute or household tasks, music can be a transformative experience both with regard to listening and playing – and an addictive thing to engage in too.
If you’ve spent as much time in music shops as this writer has, then chances are you’ve wondered what it would be like to run your own. Indeed, you might already be well on your way to realising your hobby in the form of a thriving music shop of your own. Being a muso, you’ll already have the stock and industry knowledge down, but you might be a bit flummoxed by the legal side of things. This brief guide aims to demystify the laws around opening and operating a music shop, from licensing to business finances.
Licensing
Let’s start, aptly, with the music side of things. Not every music shop pipes music over a PA – after all, there’s enough noise coming from the three people playing Mr Brightside on budget electrics in the corner – but some do, particularly if they also sell records. If you intend to have music playing in your establishment, you’ll need to have a license with PPL PRS, the music rights organisation; your license with them ensures that you can legally play music, and that the artists are recompensed accordingly!
If your music shop will feature second-hand selling as a relatively major aspect, then you may also need to consider approaching your local authority for permission and licensing. Second-hand dealer licensing may not be necessary for your own business, but it’s worth looking into before you fall foul of the law.
Consumer Protection
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 is a crucial piece of legislation to bear in mind when setting out your stall as a seller. There are many things to keep in mind from this legislation, but some of the more important involve ensuring your products are accurately described and clearly priced – their physical condition and quality, of course, being a given.
Consumer rights extend beyond the shop floor, too. If you sell online, your digital customers have an enshrined right to return instruments or equipment within 14 days. This is a rich topic all of its own, but the basics are best understood early!
Getting Help:
This is all, naturally, a lot to take in for someone who simply has a passion for music, instruments and related esoterica. Luckily, you don’t have to arrange all of this alone. Retaining the services of a specialist solicitor might be helpful where some meatier questions about licensing and the law are concerned – particularly if you’ve expansion plans or worries about the noise.
Another excellent resource to consider is Trading Standards, who can give tailored advice relating to positive business practices and keeping compliant as you continue to operate. Ultimately, though, there’s only so much preparing you can do before you just get stuck in – so enjoy the ride!
