Churches, charity shops and community groups throughout Pembrokeshire are being urged to tune up for a fight against a proposed charge for playing music.

The Government is planning to abolish charities’ and voluntary groups’ long-standing exemption from music licensing rules — hitting them with an £81 annual licence just for holding events with recorded music or for playing a radio.

For some, the sound of silence could be the only option, and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), which is running a Don’t Stop the Music campaign, says: “It is shameful that money intended for charitable causes will go on paying royalties for playing music.”

The biggest fear is for the future of scores of charity shops, where customers and volunteers may be less likely to be attracted through the doors.

The proposal has been described as “unfair, poorly thought-out and unworkable” by David Moir of the Association of Charity Shops, which fears that lack of music will make the shops less attractive to customers and volunteers.

“It will needlessly punish charities and voluntary bodies at a time when demands on them, and on fundraising, have rarely been higher,” he said.

Added the manager of Haverfordwest’s Oxfam shop, Jean Rees: “Discreet background music helps create a relaxing atmosphere for our customers. It would be a shame if we were unable to provide this calming environment occasionally, particularly in our very popular and extensive bookshop.”

The NCVO campaign is also being supported by the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services, which is concerned at the impact of the proposal on all types of community groups and events, such as tea dances, youth clubs and charity discos.

South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West MP Nick Ainger is among 80 MPs who signed an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to drop the proposals, which are due to come into force in April.

“This would impose an unacceptable financial burden on the voluntary and community sector,” he said. “If there is not a Performing Rights Society licence in the building where the event is taking place, people will have to pay to play recorded music.”

Conservative constituency parliamentary candidate, Simon Hart, described the proposal as “another assault on the fabric of British community life”.

“This is a heartless tax on community buildings and charities,” he added.

“The Government should think again and not stop the music.”