Pubs Minister urged to back CC inquiry

Pubs Minister John Healey has been asked to back a full Competition Commission inquiry into the pubco-tenant relationship by campaigner Inez Ward.

Ward, who runs the Justice for Licensees group, was asked to provide Healey with information on what she thought was responsible for the current plight of pubs.

At the top of the agenda was the pubco issue. "The pubcos failed to follow the recommendations of 2004 and do not appear to be able or willing to follow the recommendations set in 2009," she said.

"We are firmly of the opinion that mandatory regulation will be the only way forward. There have been many questions raised over the pubco model which have not been satisfactorily answered, this is damaging to both the model and the trade as a whole.

"We believe that there should be a complete and full investigation of every aspect of the pubco model by the Competitions Commission, we also believe that the pubcos should welcome this investigation if only to clear their name."

Ward also pointed out that there were numerous other reasons why pubs were struggling including duty hikes, cheap supermarket alcohol, the smoking ban and Government enforced red-tape.

Ward also called for support of National Pubwatch's Court not Caution campaign for tougher sentencing on thugs who attack bar staff and reform of live music rules.

"The Great British Pub is a valuable asset to many a community and to this country as a whole and as such deserves help in such troublesome times," she said.