My understanding was that Smith's issue was with paying for PRS licences rather than with premises licensing.

That is (or was) true but these pubs still have to to pay for the premises licence whether they apply for additional entertainment licensing or not. The not inconsiderable PPL/PRS fee is of course additional payment.

In a strange way, Sam Smiths, with their resulting no music policy, are to be admired in at least doing what they can and making a stand against what they see as the extortionate cost of providing music in this country. A cost that they are not prepared to pay.

That is their choice. We have our choice as to whether to give them our custom.