The Publican Property Conference to address key issues
Smoking, licensing, licensee recruitment and red tape are the major issues faced by the pub industry today.
For anyone who runs and owns pubs these issues are set to have a radical knock-on effect on their businesses and their properties.
These topics are all being focused on at The Publican Property Conference, which is being held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster on November 3.
All delegates to the conference will be treated to a keynote speech from James Purnell, the new licensing minister.
Speakers already signed up for the Property Conference include Trevor Watson, a director from Davis Coffer Lyons, who will look at the legislation issues facing the pub property sector.
Over the last year the property market has been at the receiving end of a raft of legislation, from planning laws and disability legislation to rate reviews. He will give his view on how operators can get through this red tape minefield.
The new licensing regime will be about to come into force with its inevitable impact on the property market and Jeremy Allen of licensing lawyers Poppleston Allen will discuss the implications for operators.
The new act has implications for pubcos and landlords holding premises licences.
SA Brain retail director Philip Lay, who is at the forefront of the smoking debate in Wales, will discuss the upcoming smoking ban.
He brings an insight into preparing for a smoke-free regime and offers some potential solutions to one of the biggest issues facing the pub property sector.
Pub companies have come under fire for leasing their pubs to rogue operators who are ripping off potential licensees.
Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, will be kicking off the panel debate by raising his concerns about the numbers of rogue recruitment companies who have been leasing pubs from the major pub companies. These rogue firms have been accused of failing to invest in the properties and of leaving licensees in the lurch.
Punch Taverns has unveiled a new strategy for ensuring rogue companies do not lease their pubs. Francis Patton, customer relations director of Punch Taverns, will be discussing the issue during a debate.
A panel of industry leaders will discuss ways that the trade can ensure companies which give the trade a bad name are stopped from leasing pubs.
Barry Gillham, chairman of Fleurets, is taking the helm as chair of the event.
The day will finish off with a motivational speech by Lord Coe, the chairman of London's victorious bid for the 2012 Olympics.
- If you would like to book a place at the conference please contact Michele Hams on 020 7955 3754 go to www.publicanconference.co.uk or email zunzf@pzcvasbezngvba.pbz.
