Mulholland: new BBPA campaign is 'partial'

Outspoken MP Greg Mulholland has accused the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) of running a "partial" campaign to save the pub.

The "I'm Backing the Pub" campaign, which had its official launch in Westminster last night, wants the tax and regulatory burden on pubs to be lowered. It is backed by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

Greg Mulholland has backed the aims of the campaign but said the issue of the beer tie must also be addressed.

The chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group said: "There is a lot in this manifesto that the Save The Pub Group would agree with and are already campaigning for and we will continue to work with all organisations to lobby for change.

"But any real manifesto for pubs must include all issues closing pubs and that includes the way some companies have skewed and abused the tied system."

He added: "Why does BBPA, which is increasingly isolated as the voice of the big pubcos and breweries, think that unilaterally launching another partial campaign now will help?

"Overall you have to question if this is an attempt to divert attention from the latest BEC investigation and CAMRA's attempts to lobby Ministers to reform the tie."

The campaign calls on consumers, licensees and politicians to support the British pub industry.

"It's very important that we move this up as a key issue as pubs are very much a part of the hospitality industry," said BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds at the campaign's launch last night.

"It is not just for those of us with a commercial interest, it's for the British public too," said Julian Grocock, chief executive of SIBA.

In addition to lowering the tax on beer, the manifesto highlights issues such as strengthening community life through pubs, limiting new restrictions and promoting responsible drinking.