Pub 2311 p5 News 19/11/09 12:59 Page 5
www.thepublican.com thePublican Monday 23/11/09 5
News This Week
Cigarette vending machines to be illegal from October 2011 MEPS ENTER
TIE DEBATE
PUBS SLAM
CONCERN ABOUT the way the
pubcos operate is growing among
politicians, according to an official
from trade union GMB.
Kathleen Walker Shaw, GMB’s
MACHINE BAN
European officer, told The Publican
that she and GMB officials had met
with a number of “sympathetic” MEPs
in Brussels last week as part of an on-
going bid to prove the beer tie is anti-
competitive.
Shaw and Fair Pint campaigners
By James Wilmore that will all end now.” initially met with Labour MEP
and John Dunne At the Station Inn in Derby, Dave Catherine Stihler. Another meeting
news@thepublican.com Lalor said: “Pubs should be allowed involving CAMRA also took place.
to have a vending machine if they Under current EU regulations the
ANGRY LICENSEES have hit out at a want. Our choices are being beer tie is exempt from EC Treaty
new law that will see cigarette narrowed down all the time – it’s just competition rules – but this ‘block
vending machines banned from not fair.” exemption’ is currently up for review.
October 2011. Barry Sneyd, manager of the Rising “We have been pleased at the
The government’s Health Bill, Sun in Manchester city centre said: support we are now getting at a politi-
containing powers for the ban, “It’s just plain silly. More rules instead cal level and we are looking to use
became law on November 13 – but the of common sense. We have a vending that,” said Shaw.
machines will not be outlawed for machine and we do not see what the “There has been an offer made
another two years. problem is.” to raise the concerns with the
Pubs will still be allowed to sell But Health Secretary Andy European Commission (EC) and the
cigarettes over the bar. Burnham said: “The new laws passed UK government to try to get them to
But licensees have questioned will help to prevent ill health caused take action to prevent these prac-
whether the ban is necessary. by tobacco, give patients more choice tices.”
Sandra Ross, licensee at the Nell and greater control over the care they The campaigners also met with an
Gwyn in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, receive and drive up the quality of EC official for consumer affairs, who
said she paid £2,000 for a vending care - helping the NHS go from good deals with block exemption issues.
machine just six months ago. to great.” Paul Maloney, GMB national officer,
“This is a real blow,” she said. A Department of Health said: “These meetings in Brussels are
Pubs will still be able to sell “Banning the machines is just another spokesman confirmed pubs will still important and form part of the GMB
cigarettes over the bar once nail in the coffin for pubs. be able to sell cigarettes over the bar ‘all fronts at all times’ strategy to
vending machines are outlawed “Our local shop shuts early here, so “as long as they comply with the law secure a fair deal for the UK’s tied pub
we do a good trade in tobacco, but on tobacco”. tenants.”
MANDATORY CODE
GET YOUR ENTRIES IN NOW
SET TO BECOME LAW
FOR THE PUBLICAN AWARDS
PUBS AND pub companies have just Stuart Bateman, managing director
two more weeks to get their entries in of Batemans Brewery in Lincolnshire
PUBS ARE facing a major crackdown Pub Association said: “The govern- for The Publican Awards 2010. – which last year picked up the prize
after Parliament gave the government ment now has the power to press The presentation of the most for Pub Company of the Year
the power to introduce its controver- ahead with a code – but we’re still in coveted awards in the pub industry (Tenanted/Leased 20-199 outlets) –
sial mandatory code of practice. the dark over when it may happen or will take place next April, at London’s said: “Wining a Publican Award was
The Policing and Crime Bill, which what it may contain. spectacular Grosvenor House hotel on extremely important to us. We entered
includes the mandatory code on “They should publish the results of Park Lane. partly as motivation and a thank you
alcohol, has received Royal Assent in the consultation process, which clearly Entries are being invited from to our staff, and partly to put a focus
Parliament. showed there is little support for it.” pubs and pubcos across the UK in 19 on improving our business.
However, the code is an “enabling” The make-up of the code could be categories, including Pub of the Year, “Winning the award resulted in a
clause in the new Act, which means influenced by the government’s public Freehouse of the Year and Regional fantastic atmosphere around the
that what will be in it is still up for consultation on the code, which more Brewer of the Year. company, which has lasted ever since.
discussion. But it is likely to mean than 7,000 people responded to. The closing date is Friday There was also an uplift in tenancy
pubs will be subject to up to nine The Home Office said the responses December 4 – after which applications for three or four months
national mandatory conditions were still being considered. one of the most rigorous after the awards, and that was totally
controlling the way they sell alcohol. The Policing and Crime Act also judging programmes in busi- down to us winning the award.”
These include a ban on irresponsible includes a clampdown on underage ness will kick off, with all To put your pub or pub company
promotions, such as ‘all-you-can drink sales and means pubs caught selling shortlisted pubs and forward for The Publican
for £10’ offers, and being forced to offer to minors twice in the space of three pub companies Awards 2010 download your
wine in a 125ml measure, spirits in a 25 months could face action. visited and scored entry form today from www.
or 35ml measure and free tap water. before the winners publicanawards.com or
The industry has estimated the new
Give us your views at
are picked out by call 020 7921 8326.
code could cost the trade £58m to
www.thepublican.com
panels of judges
implement in its first year. from across the Matthew O’Keefe, a double
A spokesman for the British Beer & industry. award-winner last time out
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