Saluting a trade champ

Even in a business bursting with big individuals, Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA), who announces his retirement this week, stands out as a truly remarkable man.

Throughout his 34-year career, Payne has dedicated himself to helping licensees find their way through the perils and pitfalls of licensed retailing. Thousands of pub operators and their families, and the communities they serve, have reason to be grateful for his ability to get to the heart of a seemingly intractable problem and painstakingly sort it out.

He's done this by mastering every mind-numbing, constantly-changing clause of legislation and contract law impacting the trade. That expertise, plus his vast pub knowledge and straightforward down-to-earth Yorkshire way have made him a formidable ally for any host up against it and finding his landlord less than sympathetic.

What's made Payne so especially effective in this business and has won him the highest respect from licensee, pubco and politician alike has always been his total integrity. Even in highly sensitive situations, everyone's always known where they stand with Tony.

Trade protection was where Payne started, and although pub life has changed out of all recognition since the mid-1970s, licensees still need someone like Payne on their side. Sadly, we live in a caveat emptor world, where a thoughtless slip of the pen can consign a licensee to an inequitable contract.

The latest Parliamentary inquiry into pubcos and how they treat their licensees began this week. But whatever its eventual findings, and however that may or may not alter the pub landscape, there will always be tensions between landlord and licensee. And there will always be the need for a body such as the FLVA, or indeed the Guild of Master Victuallers and, in a different way, the Licensed Trade Charity.

The inevitable question follows: who will be the new Tony Payne? Whoever it is, and let's hope someone really good steps forward, they have some mighty boots to fill.

Pub is the Hub​

Pub is the Hub is seven years old this year, and in this week's MA we salute this valuable organisation. Thanks to the Prince of Wales's understanding of the crucial role pubs play in communities, and the support he's given, Pub is the Hub (HRH's own phrase) has set a fantastic example to struggling pubs. Think differently, offer other services, and you can still make a decent living.

With so many pubs struggling, we need Pub is the Hub more than ever. And we need it to penetrate urban as well as country areas. But to do that, it needs more secure long-term funding. Some national and regional pubcos and brewers help as best they can. But they need to do more, and more need to join them for this inspired body to properly fulfil its role.