Confusion reigns over new licensing legislation

I have been in the licensed trade for almost 30 years, secretary of our local licensed victuallers association for 21 years, a past chairman of the crime reduction panel, and involved in the area's licensee training programme since its inception in 1991.

I and the 40 members I represent are fully aware of the Queen's speech and the resulting legislation, which has been shrouded in uncertainty for everyone involved. The emerging facts are somewhat confusing, expensive, fragmented and fraught with problems due to lack of consultation with grass-roots licensees. A new department has been created, which the licensee has to pay for.

Important facts to be noted are:

a. The police already have powers of confiscation, closure and the revocation of licences, which I must stress, are not used enough.

b. The licensee has the right to refuse entry to anyone if they are drunk, disorderly or unruly.

c. The old licensing system consisting of magistrates, police and associated agencies was perfectly adequate and suitable with certain exceptions.

d. The old laws should have been rescinded and the new legislation introduced after far more discussion with those on the front line ­ eg, licensees and their representative associations.

e. Following the rescinding of the "Need and Proliferation" law in 1999, it is the responsible pillars of society ­ magistrates, police and county councils ­ that have overseen all the proliferation of licences.

The average licensee is already burdened with licences: Performing Right Society (PRS), Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), personal, TV, public entertainment, and numerous other costs. The majority of licensees could not bear the cost of "24-hour" drinking and all the ramifications thereof. To be confined to a plan of submission will further cause stress and bankruptcy to the licensee who wants to trade as a local traditional establishment.

The premises licence is another stealth tax and will close a lot of struggling premises.

Is this new legislation aimed at closing the small private establishment? Will we be forced out of business to satisfy the ineptitude of others to fulfil their roles? If so, where does "common sense" prevail?

JA Harries

Secretary

Brecon & District Licensed Victuallers Association

Three Horseshoes Inn

Orchard Street

Llanfaes

Brecon

Powys

Portman's behind MA over alcohol education

Andrew Pring is right when he says that more money needs to be spent on alcohol education ("We can't do it all ourselves", MA Opinion, 7 April).

The Portman Group has always said that more needs to be done to educate children about drinking. Our research has shown that parents are more worried about sex, drugs, smoking, strangers and bullying than about alcohol misuse by their own children.

The Portman Group publishes a number of leaflets on alcohol and children including Let's talk about drinking, which gives parents tips on how to get the right messages across. The Portman Group Trust also awards grants to alcohol education projects.

But this important work needs to be complemented by targeted Government campaigns and better public education about alcohol. The National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy and the Public Health White Paper have both acknowledged this. Now it's time to see some action.

Jean Coussins

Chief Executive

The Portman Group

7-10 Chandos Street, London

FLVA could not have a better leader than Payne

I refer to the letter from R Feal Martinez (Morning Advertiser, 24 March). Because of our geographical proximity, Tony Payne CBE and I run into each other in the north of England fairly frequently and over the years I have got to know the man fairly well. No-one could be more supportive of his members than he, and a subscription to the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) has to be the "best value for money" deal around for any licensee.

The FLVA could have no better leader, nor the industry a better ambassador. Enough said!

Lee Le Clercq

BBPA North of England

McNamara well aware of my contributions to trade

I write in reply to criticisms of my letter regarding Tony Payne. The subsequent letters imply my lack of knowledge of the industry and lease sector, but they do not address the points I made about Mr Payne not representing the views of the rank and file.

I was particularly disappointed at John Mc-Namara's contribution. He will be well aware of the work I did with the Wessex Region, having personally recruited me to the Wessex Regional Council, where within months I became secretary by adoption. I have travelled thousands of miles at my own expense helping licensees who have fallen foul of the lease system, and not one has mentioned support from the LVA or for that matter the BII.

During my time as regional secretary I did not claim a penny in expenses even though I travelled extensively, helping to co-ordinate and assist in licensing forums. I have worked with other groups in the leisure sector, again at my own expense. John McNamara's comments are disingenuous in the extreme and from someone who has only been connected with the industry since being appointed CE of the BII, it's a tad rich. That is not to diminish his role in promoting the BII, which he has done very ably.

I have no doubt Tony Payne has contributed much to the industry but his comments over the last couple of years have not reflected the rank- and-file views of the frontline licensee.

R Feal-Martinez

Licensee

The Carpenters Arms

South Marston

Wiltshire

Just two out of 30 hosts thought BDM had helped

At a recent meeting of our local Hull LVA, the question was asked, how many think that their BDMs have helped them improve their business? Out of more than 30 licensees, only two said they thought they had a good relationship with their BDMs. Both were multiple pub owners with the ability to negotiate discounts etc, which the rest of us cannot.

I'd be keen to see how many others are happy with the treatment they receive from their BDMs.

Name and address supplied

The Morning Advertiser feature "Just what is it about BDMs?", on 17 March, looked at the role of BDMs from both sides. Write to us with your views on BDMs.