Fair Pint to open pub near Parliament
Anti-beer tie lobby group Fair Pint is looking for a pub in Westminster to act as its new HQ.
Revenue from the pub — to be called The Fair Pint — will help fund the group, and the site will act as its head quarters and "showcase the group's objectives".
Two sites are being considered, both within easy reach of the House of Commons where much of the campaigners' work will continue.
Depending on the amount of work necessary to get the pub open, the outlet could be open and trading in the autumn or early next year.
Fair Pint spokesman Steve Corbett said it would "certainly be open in time for the next stage of the Select Committee pubco inquiry which is expected to start in spring".
"Fair Pint has been a great name for a successful campaign and The Fair Pint will be a great name for a successful pub.
"It will be centrally located and will provide a superb way for us to further promote our objectives to government, MPs, the media and the City.
"We'll be looking to involve small brewers, the Campaign for Real Ale and many of our colleagues in the Independent Pub Confederation," said Corbett.
Karl Harrison, owner of The Bedford in Balham and a member of the Fair Pint Steering Group said: "Once established, the pub will provide a long-term income stream for Fair Pint in addition to donations from supporters.
"We've already had interest from brewers and banks looking to support the project — we can readily find finance as the pub won't be tied. As well as showing the advantages which freedom from the tie will offer to tenants, it will be a good opportunity for small brewers and other suppliers to show how they would benefit from a less restricted market place."
"We'll operate the business so that it attracts customers whether or not they know about Fair Pint. "We'll certainly take the opportunity to gently inform them of the damage being caused to pubs by the tie but the main attractions will be great beer, food and entertainment. We'll obviously have some fun at our opponents expense — we've received plenty of suggestions for familiar faces that can be on the dartboard and it's about time, we think, that the Brulines system came out of the cellar and into the public gaze! Everyone will be welcome, whether for us or against us. Fair Pint has always been about wanting a long term and sustainable future for pubs and that will be the thrust of this project."
The campaign said it would welcome suggestions for sites from agents, licensees and even pubcos as long as the deal was free of tie. They will consider both leasehold and freehold sites, but require office space, a function room and an outdoor area.
