Pub trade needs a peasants' revolt
I owe an apology. Last week I suggested that no amount of "hot air and angst" was likely to change the path of the Government on licensing reform. No sooner had the ink dried on my defeatist words than somebody came up with a plan that stands a chance of making a difference.
I'm referring to Tim Sykes, who is chairman of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers. His plan to win political hearts and minds catches the eye because it does not rely solely on the creaking trade groups, which seem to have zero influence where it matters.
Rather, it's about mobilising the trade at grass-roots level. His central suggestion is a simple one and has a catchy tagline: "One message, many voices."
The current Government is on course to enact the most needless, overblown and potentially damaging piece of legislation since the universally derided Alcohol Disorder Zones were sketched out on the back of an envelope.
As the trade reels under the weight of already burdensome legislation, the proposed overhaul of licensing looks like a well-aimed fist to the solar plexus.
The main proposals look like they might have been drawn up by a committee tasked with closing down as many pubs as possible.
The most worrying elements are:
1. Giving anyone, anywhere in the country the right to object to licences.
2. The removal of the right to appeal licensing decisions.
3. Giving councils the right to impose blanket conditions.
4. Fees for pubs with late-night operations.
The time-frame to make a difference politically on this is short and Sykes's plan is for a route-one approach. Licensees the length and breadth of this country can make a difference. The time has come to exercise your democratic right to make the case against these proposals to your local MP. Invite him in for a drink and a chat — or find time to visit his constituency office. Write to your local newspaper setting out the case against such Draconian changes. Bend the ear of your regular customers by explaining what an unfair and unjustified piece of legislation is coming down the track.
Imagine what a difference can be made if thousands of licensees make a point of contacting their local MP to stress what an anti-pub set of proposals these are. What's needed is a kind of peasants' revolt. We need to make the point individually and en masse that the pub sector doesn't deserve further punishment. Rather, it needs encouragement if thousands more pubs are to avoid unnecessary closure.
Yet politicians are so quick to tour their local pubs — or local brewery in David Cameron's case — when they're looking to score easy coverage and votes at election time.
The time has come to button-hole your local MP — and make our point with winning charm, but forcibly too.
