Trade leaders meet to fight for future of pubs

Industry leaders met at the House of Commons today in a bid to unite and fight for the future of the British pub.

In a meeting called by Publican​ columnist and Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland, key figures discussed ways of lobbying together on issues affecting the trade.

Organisations including the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the BII, the Campaign for Real Ale, Pub is the Hub and five licensees were all at the meeting.

Mulholland said the aim was to find common ground the groups could campaign on together.

"It's very easy for government and authority to pick people off when they are divided," he said.

Those present at the meeting represented different parts of the industry, but most agreed two major factors affecting the trade are an unsympathetic government and low prices of alcohol in supermarkets.

Dennis Griffiths, vice president of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, said: "The two main things closing pubs are the government and supermarkets and until we address these problems we can't go any further."

Martin Rawlings, director of pub & leisure at the BBPA, said: "It's right for the industry to get round a table and talk about the things we can agree on.

"Pubs are suffering because of the rising costs and increase in tax and regulations."

Members of the group are now deciding what action to take next. It could include a national campaign in pubs warning customers of the danger the trade is facing.