Mixed response to CAMRA’s beer-tie super-complaint

CAMRA’s referral of the beer tie to the Office of Fair Trading has received a mixed response, with the British Beer and Pub Association branding it an “unnecessary distraction”.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) exercised its right to issue a ‘super-complaint’ to the OFT on Friday calling for a reform of the tie and excessive rents but the BBPA said resources would be better devoted to trying to support pubs during the recession.

“While we are not concerned about the outcome of any possible OFT investigation, it would undoubtedly consume valuable time and resources that would be better devoted to trying to support pubs through the economic downturn,” said Mark Hastings, director of communications at BBPA.

The BBPA also disputed CAMRA’s argument that consumers have to pay more for their beer from tied pubs, saying that costs are “broadly the same” as those charged by free trade pubs.

Campaign group Fair Pint welcomed the referral but said it thought CAMRA was misguided in its view that removing beer ties would damage the real ale market in the UK.

Steve Corbett, founder member of Fair Pint, said: “The only way in which the pub sector will secure its long term future is if pubs have the freedom to adapt to changing consumer demands. The continuation of the tie, even if limited to companies who own fewer than 500 pubs, will leave the door open to the continuation of anti-competitive practices in the sector.”

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) president Keith Bott also welcomed the referral and expressed support for a reform rather than total abolition of the tie: “SIBA would like to see greater access for its members’ beers into pubs. There are, however, some benefits to the tied model, which is why we don’t support calls for it to be removed completely.”

The OFT has 90 days to deliver a response to CAMRA’s super-complaint.

CAMRA lodges ‘super-complaint’ over beer tie and high rents >>

Unionised publicans snub beer-tie mediation as a ‘sham’ >>

Capital Pub boss backs competition inquiry into beer ties >>

By Emma White

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