Trade groups: who represents who?
With business conditions tougher than ever - especially after the Budget - it has arguably never been more important for licensees to be represented by a trade body.
But with the likes of BEDA becoming Noctis, NALHM changing its name to Licensees Unite and seemingly endless acronyms flying about, it is not always easy to know where to turn.
With that in mind here is The Publican's guide to some of the groups which can help you out.
There are many more groups which we have not given full profiles to such as the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) because, although it campaigns on behalf of pubs, it is a consumer group rather than a trade organisation.
Similarly the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) is primarily for brewers rather than licensees.
Other groups that can represent the interests of licensees include the Federation of Small Businesses, local chambers of commerce and Pubwatch organisations.
And the list goes on to include the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group honorary secretary Robert Humphreys who would prefer to see fewer organisations and all of them pulling in the same direction.
He says: "There are different parties who all share interests in the survival and prosperity of the industry, but they have different points of view.
"The challenge is to reduce the number of representative bodies to create a powerful effective voice that is united in a single proposition."
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR)
Members: 89 companies
Overview: In short the ALMR represents anyone who has two or more pubs right up to the big boys such as Punch and Enterprise.
People: Nick Bish, chief executive; Alex Salussolia, chairman - set to be replaced by Tim Sykes at next month's AGM.
Tel: 020 8579 2080
Website: www.almr.org.uk
Big Issues: The ALMR has something to say on most things affecting the industry, including binge-drinking and smoking. Nick Bish says: "The smoking debate is by no means over in the sense that it's being ramped up with where people are smoking outside bars. The environment is also a big issue."
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA)
Members: Has 72 corporate members representing 60 per cent of pubs and 98 per cent of the brewing industry.
Overview: The BBPA, as you'd expect, represents the beer and pub sector and, like the ALMR, has something to say on pretty much everything that impacts on the industry.
People: Michael Turner, chairman, Rob Hayward (right), chief executive; Martin Rawlings, director of pub and leisure; Mark Hastings, director of communications
Tel: 020 7627 9191
Website: www.beerandpub.com
Big Issues: At the moment the BBPA is involved in numerous issues, including campaigning against pub closures, lobbying for lower taxes on beer, and generally promoting the good work of industry. Neil Williams, communications manager, says: "There are a lot of regulations coming from the government at the moment such as glassware and the two strikes and you're out policy."
BII
Members: 17,500
Overview: BII is the professional body for the sector. Members are provided with business support and professional status recognised by government, police and councils. BIIAB is also the leading provider of qualifications for the sector.
People: John McNamara (right), chief executive; Cathie Smith, BIIAB director.
Tel: 01276 684 449
Website: www.bii.org
Big Issues: In John McNamara's words: "We will do anything we can to help people in business." This includes roadshows across the country, providing business and licensing advise. This year BII is doing a lot of work in Scotland to help with the introduction of the new Licensing Act.
The Guild of Master Victuallers
Members: Around 400
Overview: Generally seen as the southern equivalent of the FLVA but also has some members in other parts of the country. All personal licence-holders are eligible for membership, including free traders, lessees or tenants. People: John Madden, executive officer; Godfrey Page, chairman.
Tel: 01708 447 899
Website: www.gomv.co.uk
Big Issue: Godfrey Page says now is a key time for licensees to be represented. "The need for Licensed Victuallers' Associations has increased dramatically but generally licensees don't seem to see it that way. I think we need to be pushing the pub companies harder and really finding out what is going on out there."
Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations (FLVA)
Members: Varies between 600-1,000
Overview: You name it they do it. Whether it is helping individual licensees with legal advice or advising them on how to deal with the media, councils and customers. The majority of members are self-employed licensees in the North of England.
People: Tony Payne, chief executive, Ruth Knowles, secretary, Sheila Sykes, members secretary.
Tel: 01484 710534
Website: www.flva.co.uk
Big Issue: Tony Payne says he is keen to make sure pubs promote the good things they do. "Where else can you get a home-cooked meal at such a good price and where else can you go to start raising funds if a little kid is really ill? There is so much that pubs do but we do not tell people enough."
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA)
Members: Its 12 members from pubcos and breweries represent about 1,500 of the 5,200 pubs in Scotland
Overview: Formed 102 years ago in 1906 it is no surprise that the SBPA works in a similar way to the BBPA but north of the border.
People: Patrick Browne (below), chief executive.
Tel: 0131 225 4681
Website: www.scottishpubs.co.uk
Big Issues: With the new Licensing Act coming into force next year the SBPA is busy getting ready - including keeping a close eye on how it is implemented by various authorities. Patrick Browne says: "There are a whole lot of issues with the Licensing Act, such as the application process and some authorities are making it more onerous by throwing in a lot of additional requirements."
Licensees Unite (formerly NALHM)
Members: Around 2,500
Overview: Formed from the ashes of National Association of Licensed House Managers (NALHM). The membership is primarily pub managers but the long term aim is to represent all licensees.
People: Brian Revell, National Organiser
Tel: 020 7611 2500
Website: www.unitetheunion.com
Big Issues: Brian Revell says: "The industry is under a lot of pressure at the moment and pub managers and licensees are under even greater pressure. They take the brunt of all of the political issues from enforcing the smoking ban to ensuring young people are not drinking. What we do need to do more of and maybe have not done enough of is talking a lot more to the government."
Noctis (formerly BEDA)
Members: Around 1,700
Overview: The group has been going in several guises for more than 50 years. The most recent change of name from the Bar Entertainment & Dance Association (BEDA) reflects the changing nature of the late-night economy which Noctis aims "to be the voice of". It mainly represents late-licensed urban venues.
People: Paul Smith (below), executive director; Jon Collins, chairman.
Tel: 0161 429 0012
Website: www.beda.org.uk
Big Issues: Lots of them, including alcohol disorder zones, licensing issues around late night premises, alcohol tax and public transport in town centres. Paul Smith says: "We are constantly making the point that late-night venues regularly win Best Bar None. They need to be seen as part of the solution not part of the problem."
• If you feel we have missed out your organisation let us know. Email news@thepublican.com or call 020 7955 3714
