CAMRA celebrates a membership milestone
Membership of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has passed the 80,000 mark - giving the consumer group its highest number of members since it began in 1971.
In the week of its 35th anniversary, CAMRA claims it has never been as widely supported as it is now.
"CAMRA has gone from strength to strength and achieved some incredible successes in the last three and a half decades thanks to the hard work and dedication of all those involved," declared chief executive Mike Benner (pictured).
"Welcoming our 80,000th member is a real milestone for CAMRA and we are absolutely delighted, but we still would like more people to join us to make sure consumers of real ale will always have a powerful voice to speak on their behalf."
Mr Benner said CAMRA would focus on a series of key issues in the future, including:
- the campaign for a full pint and to close legal loopholes that allow bars and pubs to serve less than 100 per cent liquid
- the need for new national planning guidance to require local authorities to introduce policies to retain community public houses
- a change in the law so that planning permission must be required for any change of use of a property which results in the loss of a pub
- a reduction in excise duty to stem the flood of cheap alcohol crossing the English Channel
- renewed pressure on the government to retain Progressive Beer Duty.
