Trade group formed to give licensees a voice
A group of licensees has created a new trade body to speak for the trade and attempt to combat negative perceptions about pubs.
The Society of Licensees has launched a website which includes a members-only forum and surveys.
Organiser Ed Davies, of the Kilvert's Inn, in Hereford, said: "All too often trade bodies speak on behalf of the on-trade, but leaving those they speak for in the dark.
"This society aims to change that, providing a genuine voice for licensees".
The Society of Licensees says the factors that make it different from other trade bodies are:
- Free to join
- Only verified licensees can join
- Monthly short survey to canvass opinion
- Complete transparency
Licensees can request to join, but must provide details of their pub including their VAT number. Once verified, they are given log in details to the website.
Every month the Society will ask members to fill in a short survey, including questions asking where it should focus it's efforts.
Davies added: "Our primary focus will be to counter the way pubs are portrayed in the media - often lumped in under the 'alcohol' banner.
"We want the media to highlight that well-run pubs are an asset to a community, selling responsibly and encouraging community spirits.
"We'll work with other trade groups where appropriate, but we won't resort to slagging them off when we don't agree.
"The trade needs to unite in order to benefit as a whole. As disparate on-trade proves easy pickings, and bickering within the trade doesn't help either."
Mark Daniels, Publican blogger and licensee at the Tharp Arms, Chippenham, said: "I believe the pub trade is desperately in need of a group that can bring the voice of publicans together, rather than pushing fragmented arguments in the pursuit of one political advantage or another.
"The Society of Licensees doesn't aim to compete with other trade groups but rather work with them to ensure that the true thoughts of the pub trade are understood."
To find out more, licensees should visit www.licensees.org.uk
