WHEN you are running a company music may not seem the most important thing.

But for Simon and Sophie Webster it is just as vital as a business’s website or décor at their family-run business in Gardner Street, Brighton.

The husband and wife duo have beaten hundreds of hair salons across the UK to be crowned winners of this year’s national PRS for Music ‘Music Makeover’ competition, taking home a £5,000 prize to transform Simon Webster Hair by upgrading their in-store soundsystem.

Simon, 47, said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the impact that the makeover has had on our salon.

"We have been here for four years and music has always been important to us.

"We operate on three floors, and now we have different music on each floor.

"Downstairs, where it is often the busiest, we might have louder popular music, whereas upstairs we might have a customer who wants the music to be quieter and tranquil.

"We are very customer-centred and we ask our customers what music they like to hear. It's all part of the experience.

"Many of our customers interact with each other while they are having their hair done. Some even book appointments at the same time so they can network.

"It's all part of us creating something different - but very special."

Sophie, 38, said that many of the customers are connected to the media world and digital industry which is growing rapidly across the city.

The pair work on fashion shoots, pop videos and album covers.

She said: "We started with just six staff but we now have more than 20 which just shows how we have expanded and developed over the four years.

"We carefully choose who works for us and we do have a strong connection to the music world, which does help.

"The makeover has had a tremendously positive impact on the salon. It's now hi-tec and interactive, with i-pads on each floor, and there is a better tone to the music and four stereo speakers.

"It is really important because on one floor we might have a blogger coming in and on the top floor there could be a cancer sufferer. The tone and choice of the music is very important and relevant to the individual customer."

To mark the makeover, PRS for Music is hosting an invite-only launch event at the salon tonight, where guests are invited to bring their own vinyl to try out the new record player.

Siggi Mwasote - founder of trailblazing ten-piece Brighton afrofunk collective, Lakuta, - will be celebrating the importance of music to Brighton’s local businesses by giving a private performance for staff and customers.

Lakuta is also staging a private gig at the PRS Music Makeover launch party taking place at Brighton club, Patterns, from 7pm.

BBC Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Melody Kane and local Brighton boys Øvre will also be DJing. This is invite only.