QUIET times are ahead for drinkers at a South Cumbria pub after one of the country’s top judges banned music from being played there.

The order was imposed on the George and Dragon at London’s High Court.

Karen Corner was named in court as the person responsible for the Kendal business.

She was also ordered to stump up almost £2,000 in legal costs.

The court was told that music was played at the pub when there was not a valid music licence in force.

Mr Justice Barling was told that Corner was caught playing recorded copyrighted tracks at the pub in the Market Place without a licence from music royalties collectors Phonographic Performance Ltd.

As a result, the judge imposed the ban and ordered her to pay £1,995 in legal costs to PPL by 30 July.

Corner was also ordered not to play any more music at any other premises she runs until she brings her music licence up to date.

Failure to obey the order and turn any premises she runs into a music-free zone until all licence fees are brought up to date would be regarded as contempt of court - the penalties for which can be fines of up to £10,000 and up to six months prison.

Before he imposed the ban, the judge heard that a PPL inspector had visited the premises and heard tracks, including including "Informer", "Jump Around" and "The Power" on 4 April.

Charlotte Scott, counsel for PPL, had told the judge that solicitors had sent letters to the premises informing Corner of the nature and extent of PPL's repertoire.

The ban applies to all forms of mechanically recorded music such as records, tapes and CDs in PPL's repertoire.

After the hearing, PPL warned that their inspectors are constantly on the road looking for licence dodgers and that anyone they catch could face serious legal action.

Christine Geissmar, Operations Director, PPL said: “There is an intrinsic value that recorded music adds to businesses, and this judgement acknowledges that the performers of the music and record companies should be fairly rewarded.

“Businesses that choose to play recorded music without a licence may face legal action and possibly hefty financial and other consequences as a result.

"Legal action is only ever sought as a last resort where a business continues to play music following repeated attempts from PPL to get the correct licensing in place.

“PPL issues licences to hundreds of thousands of businesses and organisations across the UK when they play recorded music to their staff or customers.

"Licensees include bars, nightclubs, shops, hotels, offices, factories, gyms, schools, universities and public sector organisations up and down the country.

“After the deduction of PPL’s running costs, all licence fee income is distributed to PPL’s record company and performer members.

"The majority are small businesses, all of whom are legally entitled to be fairly paid for the use of their recordings and performances. PPL does not retain a profit for its services.”