BBPA urges government re-think on "ill-conceived" mandatory code

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has officially asked the government to re-think its plan for a mandatory code of practice - claiming it will cost the pub sector £58m in its first year.

The trade group has submitted a formal response to the consultation on the code, in which it brands the proposed legislation "ill-conceived" and "untargeted".

Marting Rawlings, the BBPA's director of pub & leisure, said the code would be a "body blow" to struggling pubs.

"With pubs struggling and the country in recession, it is hard to accept that the Home Office seems determined to bury the industry in yet more red tape," he said.

"All the powers needed to deal with the small minority of problem premises are already there. This is the only sensible way forward, and the government needs to rethink this entire measure."

Licensees are being encouraged to register their opposition to the code though the Axe the Beer Tax/Save the Pub​ website - with more than 5,800 having already used this tool to respond to the consultation.

The code, currently passing through Parliament as part of the Policing and Crime Bill, will mean a crackdown on irresponsible promotions, but also a raft of new laws affecting pubs.

The BBPA is in favour of the government amending the Licensing Act to include a ban on irresponsible promotions.

"The rest of these proposals should be ditched as being unnecessary, excessive and disproportionate," Rawlings said.

Consultation events across the country, mainly attended by police and council officials, have also seen near blanket opposition to the code.

The consultation on the code closes on August 5. Licensees can also use the response template on the BBPA's website, where detailed individual comments can be added and emailed back to the Home Office.