The Real Ale Classroom, run by two former teachers, has been working with music licensing organisation PPL PRS to highlight how music helps them to connect with their customers and staff.
The real ale pub chain, which has three venues across Leicestershire, was the brainchild of Ian Martin and Steve Tabbernor, who quit their teaching jobs in 2015 and set up their first micropub in the city’s Stoneygate area.
The brand then went on to expand and open another ‘classroom’ in Lutterworth, and more recently a larger establishment in the city centre’s Cultural Quarter.
“Music is an essential element in our pubs,” said Ian. “Our staff enjoy playing music when they are setting up and are empowered to select their playlists for the ‘background’ music, which plays while we are open, to create the right vibe.
“We also have a lot of live music and DJ nights, and as ex-teachers we have always believed in supporting grassroots music. The Music Licence provides artists with further support and reward for their work, which I believe is critical if we are to maintain the UK’s superb music scene.
“Our venues vary greatly in terms of the live music offer, and PPL PRS staff make it very easy for us to differentiate between each, so that we are paying the appropriate rate.”
PPL PRS Ltd is the organisation that issues, and collects the fees from, TheMusicLicence. It is a joint venture between PPL and PRS for Music, the UK’s two music licensing societies, which has simplified the legal playing of music by introducing one licence, TheMusicLicence.
