Partner Article

SSE Hydro one year on: Nearby businesses report trade boost due to playing recorded music

• PPL research reveals benefits of playing music in the workplace for staff and customers
• Businesses near The SSE Hydro report trade boost due to use of background music

Businesses in close proximity to the new SSE Hydro arena in Glasgow have reported a welcome boost in trade by playing recorded music at their Finnieston venues. Research into the value of music to businesses carried out by music licensing company PPL has shown that in Scotland, 73% of bar and pub operators questioned believe that playing music can boost trading.

PPL, exists to ensure that those who invest their time, talent and money in making recorded music are fairly paid for their work. PPL’s 90,000 members include small independent artists, backing vocalists and session musicians such as percussionists or orchestral players and also major record labels and globally successful performers.

Since opening a year ago, numerous artists have played the 13,000 capacity SSE Hydro such as Calvin Harris, Simple Minds, Beyoncé, and Jessie J. PPL, which is committed to understanding and demonstrating the potential power that playing music can have on a business’ bottom line, found a number of its licence holders within walking distance of the arena, have reported significant benefits of playing music ahead of gigs.

Peter McKenna, manager of The Gannet restaurant on Argyll Street, said: “During gig nights at The SSE Hydro the whole of Finnieston can be awash with concert goers before and after events which leads to a real buzz. We tend to tailor our music selection to cater for fans on certain Hydro nights depending on the artist, and can see an increase in trade on these nights of up to 30%. Many nights we have had groups of people dancing in the bar after the food service has ended - we love that our customers feel comfortable enough to let their hair down and this wouldn’t happen without music. Glasgow has a rich music history and we find that the atmosphere of our establishment is greatly improved by playing recorded music. Meanwhile, for the chefs in our kitchen they have music playing from 7.30am to wake them up and to keep the rhythm of the kitchen flowing.”

John Langford, Director of Live Entertainment, The SSE Hydro and SECC said:

“The impact across the City has been considerable with the surrounding area undergoing a development renaissance and nearby businesses are feeling the benefit of the footfall coming to The SSE Hydro. Indications now are that fans are embracing the whole concert going experience, planning ahead and enjoying the bars and restaurants not only on our own campus but locally too before and after an event which is great news for everyone”.

PPL’s research also showed that in Scotland, 60% of respondents said they would spend more time in restaurants, bars and clubs that play music. This was especially true for those questioned who go out more than twice a week, with 100% saying that they are prepared to pay more and stay longer in venues playing music. In total, 80% of respondents agreed that both staff and customers alike would complain if the music was switched off, with over one in five businesses stating that they would prefer to lose a day’s trading than operate in a silent environment.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellie Wagstaff .