Beer

CAMRA revitalisation: Licensees urged to have their say as deadline nears

26-Apr-2016 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2016 at 08:42 GMT

The Campaign for Real Ale’s first consultation to help shape its future is coming to an end, and licensees have been urged to join the 20,000 members and non-members who have already made their feelings known.

CAMRA’s online survey is the first stage of a six-month consultation for the Revitalisation Project, which will review CAMRA’s purpose and structure. One of the proposed possibilities is the group representing pubs and pub-goers.

The survey closes on 30 April, after which the consultation will continue at 50 meetings across the country this summer. The survey outcomes will steer group discussions.

Founder

Chairman of the Revitalisation Project steering group, and one of the CAMRA founders, Michael Hardman said: “If you’re a publican or interested beer drinker but not a CAMRA member, you can still complete the survey and even come along to a meeting if you join CAMRA on the door.

“The Revitalisation Project has always been about asking our members to tell us who CAMRA should represent and how we should represent them. We’ve made it as easy as possible for people to have their say and whatever your opinion about CAMRA’s future, you need to make sure you’ve taken the opportunity to tell us.”

Meetings

Eight consultation meetings are scheduled for April, with hundreds of CAMRA members set to attend.

Hardman continued: “Although the consultation will continue throughout the summer we may launch a further round of surveys later in the year.

“The rest of the process will focus on the options members have indicated are their preferences when completing the online survey.

“It’s therefore essential that if you have an interest or opinion on what CAMRA should be doing next, you make sure you’ve filled in the online survey and register to attend one of the consultation meetings.”

The Revitalisation Project aims to respond to the evolution of the beer and pub industry since the organisation was founded in 1971.

Options

The advent of craft beer, a resurgence of interest in beer and renewed threats to pubs have encouraged CAMRA to review whether it is best positioned to represent its members.

Options include becoming a consumer organisation for all beer drinkers, for all pub-goers regardless of what they drink or for all alcohol drinkers.

Complete the survey and register for a meeting at camra.org.uk/revitalisation.