We need BII seal of approval

If you were a complete newcomer to the trade, looking to take on a leased or tenanted pub, what's the first thing you'd look for as you pore over glossy pubco literature?

You'd want a seal of approval, a kitemark, from some independent body, giving you confidence that this or that particular pubco was a good organisation to deal with. It would help you feel you were joining a grown-up industry, one which adhered to standards and prided itself on doing things properly. That kind of system doesn't exist at the moment. But if the BII gets a fair wind of support behind it from the trade, it may not be too long before it does. For BII chief executive John McNamara is on a personal crusade to create an accreditation scheme that pubcos and other pub owners would sign up to and have their leases approved, or not as the case might be.

Although the Trade & Industry Select Committee was steered away from insisting upon a code of conduct for the leased trade, it strongly hinted that voluntary codes would be a very good idea.

Many of the best pubcos are now working on their own equivalent. And the lease or tenancy packages they offer are in many cases being enhanced to make their package offer as consumer-friendly as possible.

It makes sense for these companies to submit their leases and terms and conditions for scrutiny to an independent panel organised by the BII. If they truly believe what they offer is fair and encourages good relations with licensees, then they will want to achieve this industry seal of approval.

It is an idea that has been waiting to arrive since the Beer Orders created the new breed of pubco. And it is so compelling and valuable for the industry's image, as well as its self-respect, that it cannot be allowed to fall.

The BII should be congratulated for responding to the issues highlighted by our politicians. It is a brave step to challenge its own members in this way, and some pubcos will not like the idea of being marked by outsiders.

Crucially for success, the BII must not let itself be captured by warypubcos, whose codes of conducts turn out to be written on tissue but have nevertheless received accreditation. Firm policing will be essential for this bold initiative to be a success.

to be successful, the bii must not let itself be captured by wary pubcos