1066 LVA re-launches

The 1066 Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) in Hastings has changed its name to the Licensed Hospitality Business Group (LHBG) in an effort to attract younger members.

One of Britain's better-known LVAs, the group was formed under the name Hastings LVA in 1904, and adopted the 1066 tag at the turn of the millennium.

Now, according to secretary Joe O'Riordan, the time has come to broaden the association's horizons as it looks to meet the demands of the 21st Century.

The new name will better reflect the membership which now also includes restaurants and hotels.

O'Riordan told the Publican's Morning Advertiser: "The problem with the movement is that there is not enough younger licensees because they are put off by the words 'victualler' and 'association' — victualler is a victorian word.

"But some of the die-hards say 'we have done it this way for years so why change now?'

"At the moment we have about 40 members and that has picked up since we changed the name.

"There have been dramatic changes in the licensed trade since 2005 and there is little difference between public houses and restaurants now.

"It's early days but we are on the doorstep of launching the new recruitment campaign and at the moment it seems to have brought a new sense of direction to the movement.

"We will be looking to recruit members from all over Sussex."