BISC: Code of practice lobbying intensifies

Both Fair Pint and Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland wrote letters to MPs aiming to “debunk the myths” of a letter sent out by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Last week, the BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds wrote to MPs arguing that the Business, Innovation & Skills Committee report “failed to appreciate the meaningful reforms undertaken by the wider industry since 2010” and urged ministers not to legislate as it “would pile more costs onto pubs and lead to more closures”.

However, Fair Pint and Save the Pub Group chair Muholland both wrote to MPs this week to put for-ward the case for a statutory code.

“The current industry code is inadequate and has been proven to be unenforceable,” said Simon Clarke of the Eagle Ale House in Battersea.

“To legislate now for a statutory code and a bur-eaucratic adjudicator is essential.”

Clarke highlighted some recent statistics from CGA that showed 3,218 tied pubs had closed since December 2008, compared to 425 free-of-tie pubs.

“Supermarket pricing, tax and the smoking ban are cited as the main causes of pubs closing by those wishing to divert attention from the real cause — the tied model, be it leased or tenanted,” said Clarke.

In his letter, Mulholland said he was “appalled” by the “ludicrously misleading” BBPA letter. “It is clear from the Select Committee report that if the highly valued pub is to thrive once again, there has to be reform,” he said.

“It is evident that to rectify the problems faced by pubs, the market needs to be freed up and for this to happen the Government now need to do what they promised and legislate.”

Mulholland has also tabled an Early Day Motion calling for the recommendations of the BISC to be implemented in full.