Pub 2311 p01 news 19/11/09 13:20 Page 1
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INSIDE P.27-44
Will the axe fall on campaign
TIE TALK
mascot Mr Pinty?
BANNED
Issue was dropped from mediation talks
EXCLUSIVE
Mark Hastings, the BBPA’s director
By Matt Eley
of communications, said the organisa-
matte@thepublican.com
tion was unable to comment.
“We are going to continue with our
THE BEER tie was dropped from the legal obligation to follow the confi-
agenda of the recent pub trade media- dentiality agreement that was part of
tion sessions after intervention by the mediation process,” he said.
British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) Meanwhile, writing in the latest edi-
lawyers, The Publican has learnt. tion of the Society of Independent
Despite parties from across the Brewers’ (SIBA) Journal magazine,
industry meeting to address concerns chief executive Julian Grocock said
raised in the Business and Enterprise that while the group was “frustrated” BBPA STARTS
Committee report, reform of the tie that alternative tie options were not
was not up for discussion. This is discussed during mediation, the trade
because BBPA lawyers said it would was showing progress.
be illegal to make binding decisions on SIBA, one of the groups that have NEW CRUSADE
the issue on behalf of its members. joined the IPC, had hoped to present
The revelations go some way to an ‘Easy Pub’ option during mediation THE BRITISH Beer & Pub “Axe the Tax” was too blunt a message.
explaining the clear split between the whereby lessees could vary their tie Association (BBPA) will reveal its However, the issue of tax will still
BBPA and other trade bodies that has deal over time by paying more rent. new campaign for the industry this feature heavily in the campaign,
emerged since mediation. Grocock wrote: “I believe both our week – which will see its Axe the which will lay out what the group
A source who attended the sessions IPC colleagues and our friends at the Beer Tax initiative being officially wants to see from government.
told The Publican: “Lawyers repre- BBPA understand the standpoint we ditched. It will include a plea to reduce beer
senting the BBPA said that due to the have taken. Indeed, there may not be The group’s new manifesto, to be duty to its previous level when the
nature of the BBPA representing indi- as much of a gulf between the two launched on Thursday (November 26) VAT rate returns to 17.5 per cent in
vidual pub companies, it would be sides as has been reported. in London, will revolve around the the new year. And it will repeat the
contrary to rules of competition law “The changes are coming – it is real- idea of pubs being the “life and soul” call for the government to review its
for an agreement to be made by the ly a matter of the speed of their arrival of Britain’s communities, The alcohol duty escalator.
BBPA because effectively private com- and the method of their introduction.” Publican understands. Mark Hastings, the BBPA’s commu-
panies would be acting as a cartel. Government minister Kevin The shift in emphasis is also nications director, said “As part of the
“Its argument was that strictly Brennan said recently in Parliament revealed by the fact that the campaign we will be encouraging
speaking it would be against competi- that it was too early to say whether it Society of Independent Brewers and people to lobby MPs and to raise the
tion law to discuss the tie.” would intervene over the tie – and VisitBritain will be the new partners political heat around the issues of
Instead, discussions focused on urged the industry to “work closely for the campaign. pubs and beer tax, so the government
improving codes of practice and the together and to deliver on their com- New BBPA chief executive Brigid will be under no illusions about how
eventual formation of the Independent mitments”. “We will be monitoring the Simmonds had previously hinted that a passionately people feel about the
Pub Confederation (IPC). situation closely,” he added. new direction would be adopted, as sector and the issues.”
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Issue no.1,169
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