Playing the radio...

[DumBlonde]

Hi there, I would like a couple of opinions on something fairly silly, but here goes anyway... I own an upmarket hair and beauty salon with 2 partners and we've disagreed on playing the radio in the salon as opposed to playing cds - the argument being that playing the radio is tacky and makes the place look cheap. What do you guys think? If you were in an expensive salon having your hair done, would you think radio 1 in the background would sound out of place?

[brachiopod]

How about 'classical' music? Not too loud, just nicely in the background.

But please avoid;

 - 'The Four Seasons' (or in fact most works by Mozart!)

 - Any K-Tel, Ronco or 'Now that's what I call Classical...' compilation albums.

 - Any CD that says 'from the ????? advert' or 'As played in the Merchant Ivory film ?????' on the sleeve notes.

 - Nigel Kennedy

 - Any ' XYZ Symphony Orchestra plays Star Wars and other Hollywood Hits'  type of album.

 - Nigel Kennedy (in case you missed it the first time)

That leaves... err... silence?

[littleoldme]

"- 'The Four Seasons' (or in fact most works by Mozart!)"

But, erm, The Four Seasons isn't by Mozart. It's by Vivaldi.

Actually, if your salon is upmarket like you say, some light classical music is probably a good idea. That or Radio 2. Best avoid Radio 1 though or you'll get all manner of chavs coming in!

[natalie_1982]

God I hate the term Chav - it's so ignorant.

I listen to Radio One, live on a Council estate, haven't got a baseball cap or any kids, I don't rob people and I go out to work 40 hours a week so I can afford to buy my own house as well as 'Chavvy music', magazines, jewellery and clothes.

Rant Over.  Back to the question in hand.....

I would agree that Radio Two would be best as it tends to cater for all age groups and music tastes, Radio One does tend to concentrate on entertaining specific (generally younger) listeners.  I think the radio would present good opportunities for conversation starters, and would keep clients entertained.  In my opinion, music CD's would, as others have pointed out, only entertain a certain proportion of your clients.  Also, even if you bought the most up-to-date compilation, classical, ragga, techno, panpipe, dance, anything, you would soon tire of it constantly being played (admittedly your clients will only hear an hour or so' worth).

I think you should ask your most regular clients what they think.

[Famous5]

Whichever you decide to go for, contact the Performing Right Society (PRS) before you set up. The fee is variable depending on how big your shop is and how many speakers you have. If the Inspector calls and you don't have PRS Licence, the fee doubles and stays double for ever

[Wispy68]

Radio 2, as it seems the most suitable station for most tastes. Definitely not a commercial station. Who wants to listen to all those ads over and over again?!

[Le Chat]

CD's every time!

[galltin]

Definitely CD's. Radio in a salon is cheap and tacky.

[ursula62]

Whatever you play whether it is CD or Radio you need a licence from PPL.

www.ppluk.com

They will give you a sticker to display on the premises as proof you have paid the licence fee.

[Trillipse]

Listen exclusively to RADIO FOUR. When the Archers comes on, turn it off and announce a quarter-hour "Therapeutic Engagement" time, where you can massage your clients to full folicular (sp?) health.

[brachiopod]

Trillipse, that sounds exactly like one of Linda Snell's hair-brained ideas.

T'aint natchrull !!!

[Trillipse]

ooh brachi! i sat here for a full half-minute before making the required connection with that portentous name. Linda Snell! - though i used to be an ambridge fan when work required commuterisationism for me, i cut it off at the source when my radio fixes became less consistent: i can't bear a snip here and a snatch there. (easy...) However, radio 4 remains a strident and vociferous mistress of mine, though i now try to tether her demands on my time... (much as she tethers my freedom of thought). Oh. Sorry, did i say that all our loud......?

[secretspirit]

I always like to hear Radio 1 because at least you get some variety. When my hair was done for my wedding at both the practise session and on the day they played Gabrielle's album constantly in the salon and after about the fourth time I really had had enough!