Pubcos, trade groups and Fair Pint invited to discuss pubco model
Leading trade groups, pub companies and campaign group Fair Pint have been invited to meet next week in a bid to be given time to sort out problems over the pubco model.
The meeting, being organised by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and due to be held in London on June 18, follows harsh criticisms of relationships between pubcos and licensees in the MP-led Business and Enterprise Committee (BEC) report into pubco power.
The ALMR has also written to Peter Luff MP, who chaired the committee, asking for the industry to be given six months time to address issues before the government intervenes with a Competition Commission inquiry.
It is hoped that some form of mediation "industry group" can be established to convince BEC MPs the industry is addressing the issue.
Companies that have confirmed attendance at next week's meeting, being chaired by barrister Jeremy Phillips, are Punch Taverns, Adnams and Charles Wells, while Marston's and Everards have declined the invitation, The Publican understands.
Trade groups that have confirmed attendance are the BII, the Campaign for Real Ale, the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations and the Guild of Master Victuallers.
It is understood the British Beer & Pub Association is invited to the meeting, but will not be attending.
However the BBPA's Mark Hastings said it would "happy to work with the ALMR" on the issue.
Campaign group Fair Pint has apparently yet to give a response either way to the invitation.
It is understood the ALMR wants Luff to take note of efforts the trade is making in a follow-up to the report before potentially being referred to the Competition Commission by Business Secretary Peter Mandelson.
The ALMR favours "legally binding" changes to leases which address the concerns of "disgruntled" licensees.
Nick Bish, the ALMR's chief executive, said: "This is a hugely exciting opportunity because the indsutry has the chance to get everybody together to produce something that might conceivably work.
"If not all bets are off after that, when the Competition Commission does its work."
In a statement Punch Taverns said: "Punch Taverns is fully supportive of this initiative; we have always said that we are keen to work with others in the industry with a view to seeing if progress can be made over the coming months in resolving concerns identified in the Committee's report.
"We will be attending the meeting on 18th June and welcome the opportunity to address the key issues in a constructive way.
"We hope that the Committee will consider the proposal favourably and give the industry the time to complete this process."
Tony Payne, chairman of the FLVA, said: "Hopefully we can sit around the table and see how we can work together to resolve issues raised in the report."
Peter Luff's office has confirmed it received the letter today.
