BBPA and IPC to meet for first time

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) will meet with the Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) for the first time.

The Morning Advertiser understands that no date or agenda has yet been set for the meeting but the BBPA has acted following criticism from the Business and Enterprise Committee.

The BBPA came under fire for refusing to talk with the IPC, whose members include Fair Pint, the Campaign for Real Ale and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, following the breakdown of the mediation process last year.

Committee chairman Peter Luff said it was a "ludicrous" situation. "We expect the BBPA to engage with the IPC as a matter of urgency," the report said.

IPC chairman Bill Sharp and secretary Kate Nicholls have agreed to meet with BBPA representatives, following a letter from chief executive Brigid Simmonds.

The new codes of practice are likely to be up for discussion. "It is a bit cagey but we'll see what they have to say," said one IPC member.

At its meeting last month, the IPC set an agenda and timeline for changes it wants to see in the industry for the next 12 months.

"The IPC is going well and we really want to drive the agenda for change over the next year," said the source.

The IPC claims to represent 25,000 pub licensees. It wants all lessees to have the option of going free of tie, new guidance on rent valuation, greater transparency on rent setting, removal of RPI-linked and upwards only rent clauses and a scrapping of the AWP machine tie.