Silence campaign hails quiet victory as M&S mutes music

British retailer Marks & Spencer declared it would stop playing background music in its shops on Wednesday in a move hailed as a victory by anti-noise campaigners.

"This decision is the result of extensive research and feedback from our customers and colleagues," a spokeswoman for the company said.

Speakers will begin to go silent over the next few weeks at the brand's 300 clothing and home outlets across Britain, which have payed music since 2006.

Pipedown, a group that campaigns against "piped" music in public places, had recently staged a protest at the Marks & Spencer choice of tunes and hailed the move as a coup.

"This decision, which will save M&S money, is the result of years and years of determined campaigning by Pipedowners and other people, who have refused to be fobbed off with bland dismissals," the group said in a statement.

"Now we can shop in peace."

Shops pay to license the music they play, with costs typically around £1,600 ($1430, 2,000 euros)a year per 10,000 metres of floor space, according to licensing company PRS.