MPs welcome Independent Pub Confederation formation

Vociferous pub campaigner and MP Greg Mulholland has welcomed the formation of the Independent Pub Confederation (IPC).

The Lib Dem and Save the Pub Group chairman has tabled an EDM, already signed by 19 MPs, in support of the new umbrella group, which will aims to give the trade a single, united voice.

The IPC represents key tenant and brewer groups such as Fair Pint, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), Justice for Licensees and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). It claims to represent 25,000 licensees in total.

In his EDM, Mullholland said he supported the aims of the IPC — particularly that lessees should be given the option to go free of tie.

EDM 2086 states: "This House believes lessees should be given the option of going free of the beer supply tie; considers that if beer is to be tied all other product ties should be severely restricted with lessees being offered a guest beer sourced direct from a small brewer;

"Supports the establishment of new rent valuation guidelines; supports the principle that the tied tenant should be no financially worse off than a tenant who is free of tie; supports the establishment of minimum standards of fairness, disclosure and transparency in the handling of rent negotiations;

"Calls for the setting up of representative lessee forums to discuss issues of concern and to have a legally binding code of practice; and calls for the removal of the Amusement With Prizes tie from all long leases."