Standing up for ale
Mike Benner took over as chief executive of CAMRA in May - and he is already flexing his muscles, as Tom Sandham reports.
Despite being appointed chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Mike Benner has managed to steer clear of a beard, ill-fitting t-shirt and open-toed sandals. When suited and booted - as he was at last week's Trade and Industry Committee Meeting - he cuts a more corporate figure, but talking to him it is obvious he is not interested in maintaining that image either.
As it is, Mike Benner could not care less about image, all he is concerned with is decent beer and the traditions of the English pub, and he is actually rather passionate about both.
No doubt this enthusiasm is what has driven him to the head of the organisation, a role he accepted last month, and what with the declining sales in cask ale and the ongoing demise of the rural pub, his appointment could not have come at a better time.
The role became available because CAMRA has doubled in size in the last 10 years and although the structure continues to be led by the volunteer, it was essential to have a figurehead.
Mike has not wasted any time in flexing his muscles since he took on the job, as proved during the oral evidence sessions before the Trade and Industry Committee investigation.
During proceedings Mike had to field some pretty tough questions over the role of cask ale in the pub trade. The decline has reached a point where it commands only seven per cent of the on and off-trade beer sales, but CAMRA is determined to push for guest ales at pubco bars.
Should the Trade and Industry Committee accept the proposal it would ease the decline, but Mike is sure there is a more significant problem in the trade today.
"High streets are becoming war zones because there is no longer any variety in the pubs there," he said. "Operators need to learn that large, one-room venues with no individuality and cheap drinks are excluding parts of the market. I call it the 'McDonaldisation' of pubs and anyone over the age of 30 does not feel comfortable there any more.
"It's not that the pubs are bad, it's just that we need to make sure that there is a balance, something for everyone. Some of these operators only have short-term expectations but if you look at the family brewers like Greene King or Fuller's they have longer-term views and offer more."
It is obvious that the country's high streets are dripping with pub clones and the notion that you might get a pint of decent ale in one is fast becoming laughable, but community pubs in out-of-town areas are disappearing at almost the same rate.
"These days CAMRA is as much about pubs as it is beer," explained Mike. "Pubs in rural areas are being sold off by companies who see more value in the property than the business, it's a churning of pubs. If a site really isn't a viable business then fine but we are pushing to keep community pubs open if they deserve to be. Community groups need to support them but people are not always sure who to turn too."
To this end CAMRA will be looking to establish a community pubs foundation to help protect such pubs and is aiming to get the project charitable status and eventually offer small grants.
As Mike has been with CAMRA for 10 years and has seen the market change dramatically in that time, he is keen to work on this initiative.
"I love this industry, it's one of the most unpredictable there is. Pubcos dominate at the moment but 10 years ago they were almost unheard of. Drinking in pubs still raises controversy so we have work to do."
In line with licensees
CAMRA has had its fingers in many pub pies in recent years and not always to the liking of the licensee.
A good example is the full pint issue, which Mike admits has not had complete support from the trade. Essentially CAMRA is looking out for the consumer and that can sometimes encourage conflict, but, as he points out, they are far from the enemy.
"If you look at our objectives they are the same as the licensees'," he explained. "We want to preserve the traditions of the British pub. Issues such as licensing affect us as an organisation so we share a vested interest, particularly as the replacement of occasional licences will bring changes to how we organise beer festivals.
"As chief executive I want licensees to know CAMRA is in line with their views.
"We do represent the consumer and we will disagree on certain issues, but we will always do that in a transparent way, because at the end of the day we want clean, safe pubs that offer customers the best value, not simply the cheapest pint."
