New era' paves way for off-trade to join BII
by John Harrington
The British Institute of Innkeep-ing to be known in future as simply the BII is now offering membership to the off-trade as well as on-licensed premises in response to the "new era" ushered in by the Licensing Act.
Any venue that sells alcohol, on or off the premises, can now apply to join the BII, the body that provides training and qualifications for the trade, subject to a strict approval process.
The BII has long-held the view that welcoming all alcohol retailers is a necessary response to the new licensing laws, which require retailers to hold a premises licence in addition to a new personal licence and maintain high standards.
BII chief executive John Mc-Namara said: "Not only must operators hold the same personal licence, they will need to de-monstrate similar skills and working practices as there is a great emphasis on meeting high standards of social responsibility. Our move to support all alcohol retailers is a necessary stage of evolution for us and for Britain's booming licensed retail industry.
"It is a very exciting new era. Everyone will benefit from the BII being able to influence standards of personal skills and career paths, business competence and social responsibility across the industry.
"Higher standards are expected to result in a better public image for certain sectors of the market, which will encourage greater consumer activity and also increase its attraction to a new employment market."
A new logo has been created with the strapline: "BII Raising Standards in Licensed Retail". The official launch was held on Tuesday at Vinopolis in London.
