Licensee's full pint fight is gaining support

Related tags Cent liquid pint Beer

The licensee determined to oppose the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) call for a 100 per cent liquid pint has had an overwhelming response to his...

The licensee determined to oppose the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) call for a 100 per cent liquid pint has had an overwhelming response to his appeal for support.

Stephen Tasker, licensee of the Kingfisher in Rotherham, has had letters from licensees across the country in support of his "anti-full pint" initiative.

He is now planning to send copies of the letters to the Department of Trade and Industry in order to let the Government know the strength of feeling within the trade.

"I've not had any opposition," he said. "Everyone I've heard from has been supportive."

Mr Tasker, who shares his opinions with many trade experts, said he believed a full pint law would be unworkable, expensive and confusing for customers.

And he said CAMRA's campaign did not take into account the differing tastes of people all over Britain.

One West Country licensee told Mr Tasker he had been a publican for 25 years. "I have seen lined glasses come and go," he said. "CAMRA is too big for its boots nowadays."

Another experienced licensee said: "Many customers, certainly here in the Midlands, want a head on their beer and accept the head as part of the pint - in fact they demand it."

CAMRA's campaign includes posters and pledge cards urging pub-goers to ask the Government for full pint legislation.

But a majority of the trade believes such a law is unnecessary and would raise the price of a pint as licensees seek to cover the cost of wasted beer and new glassware.

Mr Tasker said this point was proved at a recent beer festival organised by the Rotherham branch of CAMRA.

"They made a big thing about serving beer in lined glasses at the festival," he said. "But they were selling it for £1.80 when I sell it for £1.65."

CAMRA has said Mr Tasker's campaign could be interpreted as promoting short measures.

Any licensees interested in joining Mr Tasker's campaign should contact him at the Kingfisher, 17 Mary Street, Rotherham, S90 1LY.

Related stories:

CAMRA faces pint challenge from licensee forming own group (7 February 2002)

CAMRA's pint row reaches House of Commons (1 February 2002)

CAMRA goes on full pint attack (25 January 2002)

CAMRA fights on for full pint (17 January 2002)