Save Pub Group calls for Home Office meeting
Save the Pub Group chair Greg Mulholland has called for a meeting with the Home Office over the proposed changes on licensing.
The Lib Dem MP has written to Home Office minister James Brokenshire requesting a meeting.
Whilst the group is encouraged by a proposed ban on below-cost alcohol sales, it believes the pub industry will be unfairly hurt by other proposed changes, including more stringent restrictions on temporary event notices and a late-night levy.
Mulholland wants an exemption for well run community pubs.
"I share the sentiment behind these proposals that we must crack down on alcohol-related crime," said Mulholland.
"But the proposals fail to differentiate between those places that have a reputation for trouble and the thousands of community pubs that serve their communities without any such problems.
"It is high time the importance of community pubs is actually recognised by Government.
"As controlled, sociable places for people to enjoy a drink, they are part of the solution to antisocial drinking.
He added: "Yet sadly it seems that successive Governments, despite paying lip service to this, continue to lump all licensed premises together.
"This has to stop or Ministers risk making the problems worse by threatening those very places that offer an alternative to the antisocial binge drinking that causes disorder."
Campaign for Real Ale chief executive Mike Benner said: "CAMRA looks forward to submitting evidence showing the positive impact of the 2005 licensing changes, debunking the myth that has grown up surrounding 24 hour drinking and to opposing any changes which may unfairly penalise responsible drinkers and community pubs."
Save the Pub Vice-Chair Brian Binley MP said: "If the Home Secretary is serious about tackling binge drinking she needs to review the taxation policy on alcohol.
"Beer has one of the highest rates of tax and yet it has one of the lowest percentages of alcoholic content.
"We must encourage, through the taxation system, people to drink lower strength drinks to tackle this problem."
