Pub tenants and consumer associations have formed a new lobbying group to push for reforms to the beer tie system after mediation talks failed yesterday.
The mediation process was started in response to the Business and Enterprise Committee (BEC) inquiry into pubco power and the beer tie but talks collapsed yesterday after it failed to broker an agreement between pubcos and their tenants over reforms to the beer tie system.
Although the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) claims to have reached an agreement with the BII and Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) which will see “fundamental reforms” to the way pubco’s operate with their licensees, key tenant and consumer groups have refused to sign up to these reforms.
Fair Pint, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) and Justice for Licensees have all agreed to form the Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) with the aim of continuing the campaign on behalf of licensees, small breweries and consumers.
The group is to call for all lessees to be offered the choice of going free of tie on beer supply, as well as new guidance on rent valuation and greater transparency on rent setting.
Chief executive of ALMR Nick Bish said: “We were very disappointed that the recent mediation talks broke up without reaching full agreement, but the creation of this strong and unified voice for publicans and consumers is an extremely positive step forward and should address the democratic deficit in the current political debate,”
By Tom Vaughan
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