Time may be called on the pub jukeboxes

The pub jukebox could disappear from venues across the country after it was revealed landlords will have to pay up to five times the current charge.

Publicans are criticising the move, which would see larger venues pay £1,000 a year to play recorded music. At present the largest venues pay £214 annually for a special licence.

The British Beer and Pub Association says it expects some pub landlords to remove jukeboxes rather than pay the increase of almost 400 per cent.

Changes to fees for the Phonographic Performance Limited licences, which allow pubs to play music from jukeboxes and CDs, will be introduced in 2006. PPL says its new banding system is fairer on smaller venues.