Pring: BII shows way in tough times
The gathering of the licensee clans at Grosvenor House last week was a real tonic for the troops.
Battered as never before by ferocious economic storms and lunatic legislation, the cream of Britain's landlords and landladies saluted the chief, hailed their heroes, swapped horror stories, extended fellowship and support and returned pubwards, renewed for the next round of the struggle to make a decent living in an increasingly hostile world.
The BII's annual luncheon is an inspiring affair. With so many magnificent characters in that Great Room, no amount of external gloom could douse their spirits. But this year, unsurprisingly, the mood was less exuberant. And the top brass made no bones about how difficult life is — for licensees and the organisation itself. Treasurer Martin Grant spoke of the "anvils of legislation and blame" battering licensees across the country. Chief executive John McNamara described the "serious threat" facing the industry. No-one in the room would have argued with that.
Yet good leaders don't leave their people with no hope for the future. Grant reminded licensees of apocalyptic forecasts for pub closures in the '70s and '80s, when 10,000 pubs were said to be on the verge of extinction. Increased professionalism — much of it BII driven — averted the crisis.
And the same can happen again, McNamara declared, if the industry pulls together to meet the challenges.
That, of course, is a big "if". The trade is riven with clashing agendas. But on issues such as duty rises, health legislation, responsible drinking and better retail standards, what's not to co-operate on? The Morning Advertiser is certainly behind McNamara with our industry-uniting campaigns such as Fight The Hikes, Responsible Drinks Retailing, the Great British Pub Awards and Drive For Quality.
And, encouragingly, there are signs of more co-operation at grass-roots levels. Punch and Enterprise and some other major pubcos are investing more resources in rent support and discounts. With beer volumes falling 15% to 20% in April, it's only right they should share their licensees' pain. But those falls are hurting the pubcos badly too — roughly half their profits come from beer. So with their profit-and-loss accounts under considerable pressure, and the hungry City not interested in excuses, it's commendable pubcos are digging deep to help some of their pubs get through.
Not that all pubs need help — some are doing rather well, thank you. The Audley, where BII licensees hold their big day out, seems fine. And to pluck a pub that's been in the news recently, the Chelsea Ram is doing very well indeed. This popular food-pub has been described as "council house meets mega-Sloane." If an operator can house those customers contentedly, there's hope for pubs everywhere.
