A nightclub in Bristol city centre has been banned from playing music because it does not have a licence.

Timbuk2, in Small Street, needs a licence to be able to play copyrighted music in a public place.

Owner Amanda Frida faces a hefty fine and prison if she continues to flout the law by not paying for a licence.

Music royalties collectors Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) took the case to the High Court in London, where Mr Justice Lewison issued the ban.

If she fails to update her licence and continues to play music at Timbuk2, or any other premises she runs, she could be fined up to £10,000 and sent to prison for up to two years.

Frida was not present nor had legal representation during the hearing. She now faces a legal bill of £1,700, which must be paid within 14 days.

The pay-up or shut-up order was imposed after the judge heard that she was caught playing music on the premises.

The judge was told by Fiona Clark, counsel for PPL, that one of their inspectors had gone to Timbuk2 on August 22 last year. The inspector heard recorded tracks being played in public, including Get Naked by DJ Rocca and 5th Suite, What Was Her Name? by Dave Clarke, Twist by Goldfrapp, and Rip Chord by Mach One.

Following the visit, solicitors sent letters to the club informing the owner that playing music without a licence in a public place was infringing copyright law.

The club still did not pay for a licence and PPL served notice of its intention to take Frida to court.

The ban on playing music applies to all forms of recorded music, including records, tapes and CDs in PPL's repertoire – which covers 97 per cent of all music.

Music licences can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, depending on the size of the venue and the audiences involved.

A spokesman for PPL said: "Whenever you play a sound recording in public, there are two separate licence fees to be paid.

"PPL distributes its licence fees to record companies, recording artists and musicians, and the Performing Rights Society collects a separate licence fee which they distribute to composers and music publishers.

"A licence is required for any event except a family or domestic gathering, such as a wedding reception or birthday party.

"PPL sometimes waives fees for charity events."

When the Bristol Post called at the club on Wednesday night as staff prepared to open it, a reporter was told that the owners were out of the country.

No one else was available for comment.