ALMR and MP Mulholland hit out at OFT decision

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has said it is "very disappointed" that the OFT will take no further action on CAMRA's super-complaint.

ALMR chief executive, Nick Bish, said: "We believe that CAMRA made a good case for the OFT to conduct its own thorough study into the impact on consumers of supply deals in the pub sector and regret very much that it has decided not to do so".

"While we remain concerned about the delay and uncertainty of a full Competition Commission Inquiry we know that there is much to be done to clarify the issues surrounding leases and supply agreements and we will be working with RICS and our colleagues in the Independent Pub Confederation to achieve a better, fairer tied lease model in our industry".

Outspoken Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland, and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, was outraged by the OFT's announcement.

"This is a phenomenally poor decision by the OFT, given the amount of evidence submitted I am genuinely at a loss as to how they have dismissed this complaint.

"Once again they have completely missed the point and have justified taking no action on the grounds that there is no lack of competition, but what we have is competition between a few large companies who have a stranglehold on pub ownership and are all operating a business model that is unbalanced and makes it difficult for many tenants.

"The Save the Pub Group said all along that the Office of Fair Trading was not the right body to handler a far reaching complaint of this nature."