Fair Pint hopeful for change for tied tenants

Anti-tie campaign group Fair Pint has expressed confidence in the chance for "meaningful reform" of the relationship between tied tenants and their pubcos.

Over the summer recess, Fair Pint will step up its campaign to spread the word about the plight of tied tenants to old and new MPs.

The group plans to provide information to MPs from the last government who showed an interest in pubs and also get new generation members on board.

MPs will be encouraged to visit some of the 1,500 Fair Pint members up and down the country to get an idea of the real-life issues they face.

The group believes that the coalition and new wave of MPs have a greater understanding of the issues facing the trade than the previous government.

"The pub sector is still struggling and thousands of tied tenants are still losing their businesses every year, but the new coalition Government and the swath of new MPs offer hope that reforms to end the damage being done by unfair tied agreements will be delivered," said spokesman Steve Corbett.

"The coalition Government has made it clear that they will stick to the previous government's promise to legislate if the industry fails to deliver meaningful reform on a voluntary basis and we will be working to ensure that the Government delivers on these promises.

"We will be working with our members to ensure that the upcoming summer recess provides an opportunity for MPs to meet publicans in their constituencies and to learn firsthand about the need for reforms in the sector."