ALMR pleas for 6 months to save the trade

Richard – Nick Bish is sincere in his efforts to move forward. He recognises that the status quo is not an option for the future.

One problem he faces is that many within the pub co’s, and breweries that have copied their model, simply refuse to even consider the discussion of equitable profit sharing that you would wish to promote. Nick must be on his guard as there are those who would like to use his proposals as a tool to delay much needed scrutiny and change. There are many that feel that those parties who would behave in such a way will simply leave the table if a delay is achieved.

There is plenty of opportunity for discussion to take place alongside a Competition Commission investigation. The Enterprise Act provides for industry participants, engaged in potentially anti-competitive practises, to provide suitable undertakings to government throughougt the process.

I’m far from certain that CAMRA’s approach to the OFT will result in any kind of ‘whitewash’. The issues are out in the open for once and it would be depressing indeed to imagine that Mike Benner would be acting disingenuously. Furthermore, there are very many small, craft brewers competing for less than 2% of the market because they are excluded by the existence of the tie. They want it gone as much as tenants and Mr Benner will be aware of this.

There is little to fear from so called “rental reprisals” by pubcos should the tie be restricted or removed. Many tied rents, often unbeknown to the tenants, are already way in excess of equivalent free of tie leases. Reform of the rent system so as to comply with the law rather than the views of one or two well known surveyors, will resolve the rest of that issue. ALMR is right to keep rent reform high on its agenda.

 Karl Harrison