Opinion: upbeat vibe at landmark mediation meet

At 12.15pm my daze was awakened by Punch boss Giles Thorley breaking into a full sprint, clutching papers. I feared things had gone badly.

My fears weren't eased when former Punch customer services director Francis Patton, now a consultant at the pubco, hobbled out on crutches.

Must have been an explosive meeting, I thought.

But actually, the mood of all attendees at the landmark mediation meeting was remarkably upbeat and without exception all left with smiles on their faces. This was a good sign and the vibe was definitely a positive one.

The talks have been likened to solving the pub trade's equivalent of the crises in Northern Ireland and the Middle East. The focus is very much on mediation. Both the pubcos and the anti-tie brigade have stated their positions publicly and reached an impasse.

Now it is up to the trade, through consultation, to find some middle ground or face a full Competition Commission Inquiry and all the uncertainty that could entail.

The first congratulations of the day must go to the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish for summoning up all his persuasive powers to get the likes of Fair Pint and high profile campaigner Inez Ward sitting round the same table as Punch bosses and the British Beer and Pub Association, who represent the likes of Enterprise Inns.

Both had refused to meet the campaigners before the Business and Enterprise Committee investigation began so this was actually a significant feat in itself.

But now the first meeting has come and gone, Bish has stressed that the stakeholders in the meeting must run the process. It is not the ALMR's baby — it is the whole trades.

Although those leaving the meeting remained tight lipped, you sensed that things had gone well. It is a positive start for the trade and one which must now be followed through on.

This is just the start of the process. The meetings could now become monthly or even weekly but at last the communication channels between the tenants and the pubcos are open.

It will be a long and winding road and if the mediation process is to work, it may have to involve a senior heavyweight figure with direct experience in mediation from outside of the trade.

What is also certain is that both sides will have to make concessions if any middle ground is to be found. Whether the Government will advise that an Office of Fair Trading and a subsequent Competition Commission inquiry should be held — only time will tell but the talks are certainly a great starting point.

So, well done Bish and the ALMR for getting the ball rolling and well done to all those who chose to front up and attend the meeting despite their rigid beliefs. Maybe there will be a few more attendees next time — after all the future of the pub trade is at stake.