SIBA revamps strategy in response to MRO legislation
The Society of Independent Brewers, which represents more than 800 independent brewers across the country says the approach will help its members build new opportunities from the legislation while developing its commercial offer.
The MRO clause allows tied tenants the opportunity to go free-of-tie at rent review or lease renewal.
Following discussions at its AGM in March, SIBA’s four point plan will:
- Build opportunity for improved free trade access
- Build opportunity for the development of SIBA’s Beerflex (previously known as the Direct Delivery Scheme)
- Ensure members’ interests are represented during the forthcoming consultation on the Statutory Code
- Build campaigns to promote quality beer from SIBA brewers to licensees and consumers
'Evolution'
SIBA managing director Mike Benner said: “Our members have challenged SIBA’s leadership to set a clear direction on the issue of the market rent only legislation and the new strategy is our response.
"SIBA has always taken a pragmatic approach to the issue and we will continue with it now the legislation is in place. Despite the uncertainties of the situation, we are working to provide our members with genuine opportunities focused on the evolution of our commercial offer through Beerflex and helping them gain access to new free trade opportunities which will hopefully appear in their areas.
"Beerflex will create ‘local/craft’ beer solutions for all kinds of pub company businesses including tied, tenanted and managed operators, as well as providing the much-needed local beer offer for global brewers.
"In addition, SIBA will offer its members help to build free trade access, as well as, hopefully, listings of pubs opting for an MRO as they become available."
Benner added that it was important that SIBA was involved in the upcoming government-led consultations on the pubs code to ensure independent brewers were properly represented.
