Published: Wednesday, 21st October, 2009 11:39am

Sandra is given the all-clear to keep on singing

by Jamie MacDonald

Sandra Burt keeps assistant manager Dale Alexander entertained after being given the all-clear by the Performing Rights Society. (Photo by Jan van der Merwe)

WHO would have thought singing at your work could cause so much drama?

Singing Clackmannan shop assistant Sandra Burt appeared in last week's Advertiser as she entertained staff and customers at A & T Food Store when they were told they needed a licence to listen to the radio.

Fast forward seven days and Sandra has been all over the national papers and radio stations as well as being a hot topic on internet chatrooms after being told she required a performing licence if she wanted to sing at her work.

But Sandra fought the law and she won as the Performing Rights Society (PRS) has now changed its tune, apologised and told Sandra she can continue with her crooning.

She said, "We were told we could be fined for singing in the shop and I needed a performance licence.

"I couldn't really understand it as I am only really singing to myself. To get me to come in to work and not sing would need someone to put a plaster over my mouth."

With messages of support for Sandra coming from as far afield as China, Texas, Vietnam and New Zealand, PRS sent Sandra a large bouquet of flowers, apologised and told her she was free to sing until her heart is content.

A spokesman for PRS said, "PRS for Music would like to categorically state that a shop owner wishing to sing to their customers would not require a music licence. The advice given to Sandra Burt in this incidence was wrong and we would like to unreservedly apologise for the confusion caused."

On Friday, just after she had appeared on Radio Humberside, the Advertiser caught up with Sandra to find out how things were progressing.

She said, "Since I have been in the news we have had a lot of people coming in to the shop to offer their support."

Assistant manager Dale Alexander has been kept busy this week answering phone calls about Sandra.

He said, "Because Sandra has been on a few radio shows they have gone outside or through the back of the shop to do the interview.

"I have wanted to hear it but I can't listen to the interview in the shop whilst it is going on because the radio is banned.

"I have had to go home and download it afterwards."

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