Pub groups meet to discuss beer-tie probe

Punch Taverns, Marston's, Adnams and the leading pub trade bodies held a meeting yesterday as part of efforts to ensure the industry presents a united response to the recent damning report on the beer tie.

The industry is hoping to persuade the Business and Enterprise Select Committee (BEC) to give it more time to respond to the report, which demanded a Competition Commission probe into the tied business model.

Barrister Jeremy Phillips, who chaired the meeting, said: "This has been an encouraging initial meeting which addressed many historic problems in a constructive manner.

"Everybody present recognised the difficulties that we face, but saw the use of mediation as an entirely appropriate way to try to resolve industry issues 'in house'. I am looking forward to the next stage of the process."

Attendees were: Adnams, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, the British Beer & Pub Association, BII, Camra, Fair Pint, the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, the Federation of Small Businesses, Guild of Master Victuallers, Justice for Licensees, Marstons, Punch Taverns, Society of Independent Brewers and Unite the Union.

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By Daniel Thomas

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