Trade must find strength in unity
As we enter a new era for the Morning Advertiser, it is good to find my-
self in complete accord with our illustrious
editor in the aftermath of the pummelling from the Chancellor.
Two weeks ago, Andrew Pring identified a key problem with the licensed trade as it is currently operated — the loss of a unified campaigning ideology that will have an impact on government, in the way other trade and commercial sectors do.
It was not always thus. In years past, the brewing industry and its allies had a strong voice in Parliament and government, and lobbying was both compelling and effective as a result. This was not achieved by toadying to politicians and ingratiating oneself with government departments, but through good argument and sound economics.
I can remember times when proposals for legislation that would adversely affect the licensed trade were picked up at an early stage and the dissenting arguments forcefully put over, in order to head off the trouble. Alas, I do not see that level of foresight at all these days. It is as if the industry is constantly on the back foot, waiting for the next piece of legislative clobbering.
The news at the moment on pub closures, binge drinking, the smoking ban and licence revocations is very bad — and it is at such a stage that a strong industry comes back fighting, to say that the damage being inflicted by an idealistic administration is unreasonable and unfair. I have certainly never seen so much legislation aimed at the same perceived problem in such a short space of time, even though all the signs are that there are many other factors involved, and that licensing legislation is not the critical issue.
In the weeks ahead, you will doubtless read of many other areas of legislation affecting the licensed trade — and indeed the hundreds of questions I receive from licensees reflect this. It is not just about licensing: all kinds of retail trading legislation affects every licensee in the country. It is no surprise that many of you spend more night hours catching up on the computer than in the bar!
I hope that this well-expressed call for more trade unity does not fall on deaf ears and that whatever differences there may be are set aside for the general good of the industry. Someone has to take up the challenge.
