The Anti Social Behaviour Bill is meandering through parliament, and is due to be introduced into Law in the near future. This bill has a number of aspects – some of which are very controversial – for example, new legislation on dangerous dogs and forced marriages. Also tucked away are new laws controlling pubs!
The concern of the pub industry is that the new licensing laws will "slip through under the radar" as the more controversial subjects gain most attention. There are however serious consequences for pubs, which many industry players see as potentially being "enormously damaging" to the pub sector. Part of the new law is that police will be able to close pubs for within 24 to 48 hours if there has been, or is likely to be, nuisance or disorder. Currently they must seek an order from magistrates thus to do. Theoretically, a closure order could subsequently last for 3 months!
Even more worrying is that for the first time the bill includes what is known as a "community trigger", which means that if there are three 'complaints' about a pub within a six month period, then police and local authorities are 'bound' to investigate. If either then decide to take no action, they must respond to the complainants giving their reasons why not. They will obviously be under great pressure to do 'something', which could include a pub being closed down! This opens up a whole can of worms. Any resident can complain about almost anything – noise for example. I once dealt with a case where a person bought a house next to a pub and complained about the noise of the balls going up the skittle alley! playing skittles was subsequently banned until balls made of rubber replaced the balls made of wood. (Load of balls, really!).
Traditionally, in a sane, adult world, a neighbour would pop into the pub and have a chat with the landlord to find a compatible solution to issues; now all they have to do is run to the police or local authority. History is full of people buying houses next to pubs and then complaining about the travesty of living next door to a pub! I am all for pubs being run responsibly and for being part of the "big society", and 99% of them are! (as are 99% of pub goers!)
The law of unintended consequence could have a field-day here. Think of the power available to entire minority lobbyists, including anti-alcohol groups, anti-pub groups and life’s disenfranchised losers. They can really let their imaginations run wild and complain about a thousand and one things, which could possibly include: kids being in pub gardens where alcohol is being consumed, smokers outside pubs causing obstructions on the pavements, car parking too near the pavement, Wetherspoon’s selling alcohol too cheaply, "I don’t like the landlord", "I have been barred from the pub unfairly", one licencee recruiting complainants to close down a competitor, residents associations choosing anti-pub members, do-gooders visiting the pub to seek under-age or intoxicated drinkers, previous landlords spying to find a fault with new owners, the menu is rubbish, the beer is lousy, the staff are rude, the toilets stink, the beer is too expensive, the hours are too late, the hours are too short, the lights are too bright (I once dealt with a complaint against a pub where the headlights from cars leaving the pub were shining into a neighbours bedroom and apparently putting up blinds was not a solution!) - the list is endless.
Do police really want to have to investigate such trivia, and do Licencees really have to suffer such intrusions to impact on their livelihoods? The Victor Meldrews of this world must be in heaven and think that Christmas has come early!
When will HMG cease their attack on pubs? 99% of them are fine, and 99% of people who drink alcohol are fine. Leave us alone!
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Friday, 7 February 2014
Friday, 24 January 2014
Campaigning To Stop Further UK Pub Closures
The time is coming that "something" really needs to happen!
We have lost around ten thousand pubs in recent years, and if we are not careful we will lose many more in the not too distant future. There is of course lots going on to try and fight off the demise of our treasured pub institution, but frankly all of the effort in the world, other than getting more people to use pubs more often, will come to nought unless 'pub-going' gets back into fashion.
Government is also now realising that if more people stay at home drinking and purchasing alcohol in supermarkets there is a loss in revenue terms to the exchequer, this along with the social impact and high street demise. Pubs are important, stupid.
So what part does "the cost of going to the pub" play in the greater scheme of things? I think "more and more" is the answer.
I have blogged before on my 'hobby-horse' about our culture of 'round-buying', and I continue to believe that it is detrimental to our industry. I hear many people say that they avoid certain pubs at certain times because they know they will get involved in a round-buying group where a round can cost £20 or more. For those who want to go on doing it "fine", but let us create a culture where it is perfectly acceptable for those who want to "buy their own" to not be considered as skinflints or social pariahs!
Onto the VAT disparity twixt supermarkets and pubs. It is outrageous that supermarkets pay no VAT on food when pubs pay (and therefore you dear pub customer) 20%.
The argument is simple: Reduce VAT for pubs – more people will visit, spend more money, create more jobs, regenerate high streets, generate more revenue for HMG. The battle is joined and growing in influence. Want to know more? Take a view: www.vatclubjacquesborrel.co.uk
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
We have lost around ten thousand pubs in recent years, and if we are not careful we will lose many more in the not too distant future. There is of course lots going on to try and fight off the demise of our treasured pub institution, but frankly all of the effort in the world, other than getting more people to use pubs more often, will come to nought unless 'pub-going' gets back into fashion.
Government is also now realising that if more people stay at home drinking and purchasing alcohol in supermarkets there is a loss in revenue terms to the exchequer, this along with the social impact and high street demise. Pubs are important, stupid.
So what part does "the cost of going to the pub" play in the greater scheme of things? I think "more and more" is the answer.
I have blogged before on my 'hobby-horse' about our culture of 'round-buying', and I continue to believe that it is detrimental to our industry. I hear many people say that they avoid certain pubs at certain times because they know they will get involved in a round-buying group where a round can cost £20 or more. For those who want to go on doing it "fine", but let us create a culture where it is perfectly acceptable for those who want to "buy their own" to not be considered as skinflints or social pariahs!
Onto the VAT disparity twixt supermarkets and pubs. It is outrageous that supermarkets pay no VAT on food when pubs pay (and therefore you dear pub customer) 20%.
The argument is simple: Reduce VAT for pubs – more people will visit, spend more money, create more jobs, regenerate high streets, generate more revenue for HMG. The battle is joined and growing in influence. Want to know more? Take a view: www.vatclubjacquesborrel.co.uk
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Friday, 20 December 2013
£90 Million Boost For UK Tourism (and Pub Trade?)
More good news for the hospitality sector; HMG has committed a further £90 million to help promote the UK as a place to visit and do business in. Forecasts are that some 32.6 million people will visit these shores during 2014, spending some £21.5billion!
New markets for our visitors to come from include China, Malaysia, South Korea and Mexico, and new (relaxed) visa regulations are forecast to see a step change in visitor numbers from these countries.
Now being that pubs are in the center of hospitality in the UK and being that "to visit a British Pub" is often on the list of reasons to visit the UK, it seems to me there is a few quid to be made here by our over-worked, under-paid (apparently) licensees.
I have tried to work out on my calculator that if say 20% of the £21.5 billion is spent in pubs and that there are some 50000 pubs left, how much could each see in their tills? Unfortunately my calculator does not allow for such large numbers, all it tells me is that there is plenty to go around!
Which pubs will benefit the most? I'll bet it's those that market their businesses the best! 'Hospitality' is the Bedrock of the UK economy, so says a report from Visit Britain and their GREAT campaign; The Great British Pub is at the heart of it!!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
New markets for our visitors to come from include China, Malaysia, South Korea and Mexico, and new (relaxed) visa regulations are forecast to see a step change in visitor numbers from these countries.
Now being that pubs are in the center of hospitality in the UK and being that "to visit a British Pub" is often on the list of reasons to visit the UK, it seems to me there is a few quid to be made here by our over-worked, under-paid (apparently) licensees.
I have tried to work out on my calculator that if say 20% of the £21.5 billion is spent in pubs and that there are some 50000 pubs left, how much could each see in their tills? Unfortunately my calculator does not allow for such large numbers, all it tells me is that there is plenty to go around!
Which pubs will benefit the most? I'll bet it's those that market their businesses the best! 'Hospitality' is the Bedrock of the UK economy, so says a report from Visit Britain and their GREAT campaign; The Great British Pub is at the heart of it!!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Friday, 25 October 2013
Scrapping The Personal Licence Is Insanity
If you have ever wondered how HMG views alcohol, and therefore pubs, well here is the government department in charge of all matters relating to alcohol: The Home Office. The Home Office amongst other things, deals with: Drugs, Crime, Counter Terrorism, Passports.
Alcohol and therefore pubs used to be under the control of The Department for Culture Media and Sport, they deal with; “Making Britain the most creative and exciting place to live in, VISIT and do business in”. Now all surveys dealing with why people visit Britain always have “visiting a British Pub“ high on the list, why then is our sector controlled by the department dealing with criminals, terrorists and drug dealers and not the department dealing with visitors and making Britain exciting?
Of course there are issues around alcohol, of course we need to sell and consume alcohol responsibly, of course we need to educate children on its adverse effects, of course we need to protect staff in A&E against abusive alcohol soaked idiots, of course we need to ensure bar staff do not sell to drunken people or underage children of course we need to reduce the cost to the country of alcohol abuse, of course we need to do something about days work lost though alcohol, of course we need to do something about domestic violence caused by alcohol, of course of course of course (the list goes on).
But hang on a minute, we do have an industry that employs around 900,000 people, generates billions in tax and satisfies all of those tourists, so now why is HMG proposing that we do a way with Personal Licences to sell alcohol? It is the one element of the 2003 Licensing Act that brought knowledge and professionalism to the trade and taught staff how to sell alcohol responsibly (my previous blogs offer a full description).
Here are some of HMGs (insane) proposals regarding Personal Licences:
• No-one need have one unless it is a condition impose by the Local Authority on the Premises Licence
• No-one need have Criminal Record check to sell alcohol unless stipulated as a condition on the Premises Licence
• Any training will be by way of a Training Certificate (not examination)
So currently we have a test of knowledge by way of examination which is the building block of getting young people onto a professional journey into the licensed trade; It works, it is respected, it is universal, it is inexpensive (around £150) it is held by around a quarter of a million bar staff.
Is it that as the numbers seeking a Personal Licence are dwindling (because so many have already obtained one) that HMG see a reduction in income for local authorities and so they want to devise something new for which they can charge? (Just one of the many conspiracy theories abounding).
If handed to local authorities, look out for the Politicisation of regulations around alcohol!
It is not broken do not mend it!!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Alcohol and therefore pubs used to be under the control of The Department for Culture Media and Sport, they deal with; “Making Britain the most creative and exciting place to live in, VISIT and do business in”. Now all surveys dealing with why people visit Britain always have “visiting a British Pub“ high on the list, why then is our sector controlled by the department dealing with criminals, terrorists and drug dealers and not the department dealing with visitors and making Britain exciting?
Of course there are issues around alcohol, of course we need to sell and consume alcohol responsibly, of course we need to educate children on its adverse effects, of course we need to protect staff in A&E against abusive alcohol soaked idiots, of course we need to ensure bar staff do not sell to drunken people or underage children of course we need to reduce the cost to the country of alcohol abuse, of course we need to do something about days work lost though alcohol, of course we need to do something about domestic violence caused by alcohol, of course of course of course (the list goes on).
But hang on a minute, we do have an industry that employs around 900,000 people, generates billions in tax and satisfies all of those tourists, so now why is HMG proposing that we do a way with Personal Licences to sell alcohol? It is the one element of the 2003 Licensing Act that brought knowledge and professionalism to the trade and taught staff how to sell alcohol responsibly (my previous blogs offer a full description).
Here are some of HMGs (insane) proposals regarding Personal Licences:
• No-one need have one unless it is a condition impose by the Local Authority on the Premises Licence
• No-one need have Criminal Record check to sell alcohol unless stipulated as a condition on the Premises Licence
• Any training will be by way of a Training Certificate (not examination)
So currently we have a test of knowledge by way of examination which is the building block of getting young people onto a professional journey into the licensed trade; It works, it is respected, it is universal, it is inexpensive (around £150) it is held by around a quarter of a million bar staff.
Is it that as the numbers seeking a Personal Licence are dwindling (because so many have already obtained one) that HMG see a reduction in income for local authorities and so they want to devise something new for which they can charge? (Just one of the many conspiracy theories abounding).
If handed to local authorities, look out for the Politicisation of regulations around alcohol!
It is not broken do not mend it!!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Friday, 11 October 2013
The Personal Licence System Works. So, Why Ditch It?
As I blogged previously; the Government has launched a consultation on the possible abolition of Personal Licences. No idea where this latest government gem came from, but they claim it's about "reducing red tape". More likely it's about mending something that isn’t broken!
The proposal should be opposed, as the new idea they have in mind to replace the existing system is a potential disaster, and has attracted much criticism from just about all informed industry players.
HMG suggest that, in place of Personal Licences, they envisages that licensing authorities are given greater flexibility to impose conditions on premises licences at a local level, for example, for staff to undergo training. Imagine doing away with national vehicle driving licences and letting local authorities set local training for drivers? Good idea?
Some local Authorities might decide it would be best to drive on the right-hand side, and introduce training courses and qualifications thus to do. Now that would be really progressive (well, until you drive into the next 'LA' territory!).
Most industry players see the Personal Licence as one of the better innovations of the 2003 Licensing Act. It offers a national standard of knowledge, challenges bar staff to study and prove knowledge of the law and how to sell alcohol responsibly, gives them a step on the ladder of professionalism, protects customers from violence and drunkenness, protects children from harm and neighbours from nuisance - and is recognised across the country.
Pretty good objectives in my view! So why change it?
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
The proposal should be opposed, as the new idea they have in mind to replace the existing system is a potential disaster, and has attracted much criticism from just about all informed industry players.
HMG suggest that, in place of Personal Licences, they envisages that licensing authorities are given greater flexibility to impose conditions on premises licences at a local level, for example, for staff to undergo training. Imagine doing away with national vehicle driving licences and letting local authorities set local training for drivers? Good idea?
Some local Authorities might decide it would be best to drive on the right-hand side, and introduce training courses and qualifications thus to do. Now that would be really progressive (well, until you drive into the next 'LA' territory!).
Most industry players see the Personal Licence as one of the better innovations of the 2003 Licensing Act. It offers a national standard of knowledge, challenges bar staff to study and prove knowledge of the law and how to sell alcohol responsibly, gives them a step on the ladder of professionalism, protects customers from violence and drunkenness, protects children from harm and neighbours from nuisance - and is recognised across the country.
Pretty good objectives in my view! So why change it?
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Monday, 23 September 2013
Should We Scrap Personal Licences And Risk Lawlessness in UK Pubs?
Personal Licences were introduced as part of the new Licensing Act 2003 (introduced on November 24th 2005) to effectively provide a qualification by way of training and examination, thereby ensuring those who sell alcohol (and authorise others to sell alcohol) actually know the law of the land and how to ensure alcohol is sold responsibly.
Sound thinking and sound rationale, which replaced the previous system where new licencees had to appear before a magistrate's bench and be challenged on their knowledge of licensing laws - with no national standards of interrogation. So far so good. Thousands of bar staff, off-licence staff and supermarket staff, etc, have achieved the required qualification which in turn has given them a foot on the ladder of professionalism in our industry. So why now should HMG believe it is not fit for purpose? Is it because local authorities have been so depleted of resource, they cannot cope with the administration? Is that what is really behind it?
There are flaws in the Personal Licence system, for example a pub could legally get by with just one Personal Licence Holder (who might also be the Designated Premises Holder, the person in overall charge of the day-to-day running of a Licenced Premises) then have another 6 staff who sell alcohol under the authority of the Personal Licence Courses Holder (you still with me?) but those 6 staff would not have need to have a CRB check (part of the Personal Licence requirement) at all and so could be villains galore.
Maybe the answer is that ALL those selling alcohol should have a Personal Licence, not do away with them?
If our industry is serious about raising professionalism, then understanding the Licensing Law is a vital start point. There's no point in studying: customer service, cellar management, financials controls, wine dispensing, menu planning, employment law, marketing, merchandising, chalkboard skills, pricing strategies, competitor activity - and about another 30 items that a real professional licencee or bar person needs to know - if the first thing you do is to serve someone under-age, or someone who appears to be intoxicated, or serve someone outside of permitted hours, only to find yourself heavily fined or sent to Prison!
Once again we see the UK Government looking to interfere where interference is not needed!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Sound thinking and sound rationale, which replaced the previous system where new licencees had to appear before a magistrate's bench and be challenged on their knowledge of licensing laws - with no national standards of interrogation. So far so good. Thousands of bar staff, off-licence staff and supermarket staff, etc, have achieved the required qualification which in turn has given them a foot on the ladder of professionalism in our industry. So why now should HMG believe it is not fit for purpose? Is it because local authorities have been so depleted of resource, they cannot cope with the administration? Is that what is really behind it?
There are flaws in the Personal Licence system, for example a pub could legally get by with just one Personal Licence Holder (who might also be the Designated Premises Holder, the person in overall charge of the day-to-day running of a Licenced Premises) then have another 6 staff who sell alcohol under the authority of the Personal Licence Courses Holder (you still with me?) but those 6 staff would not have need to have a CRB check (part of the Personal Licence requirement) at all and so could be villains galore.
Maybe the answer is that ALL those selling alcohol should have a Personal Licence, not do away with them?
If our industry is serious about raising professionalism, then understanding the Licensing Law is a vital start point. There's no point in studying: customer service, cellar management, financials controls, wine dispensing, menu planning, employment law, marketing, merchandising, chalkboard skills, pricing strategies, competitor activity - and about another 30 items that a real professional licencee or bar person needs to know - if the first thing you do is to serve someone under-age, or someone who appears to be intoxicated, or serve someone outside of permitted hours, only to find yourself heavily fined or sent to Prison!
Once again we see the UK Government looking to interfere where interference is not needed!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Minimum Pricing of Alcohol To Be Dropped
"Call me Dave" Cameron has seen the light and backed away from his "Tough on alcohol pricing" commitment and will be walking away from the plan and eating his words.
I argued with myself in previous blogs and finally came down on the side of supporting the idea, on the grounds that any initiative to reduce the retail price gap twixt pubs and supermarkets would benefit pubs. Well now it’s gone (or going away) to be replaced by a more modest policy with the introduction of a ban on selling very cheap prices or loss leaders.
Most informed people within the industry thought it would never happen, and so it has proved to be. So pubs continue with the challenge to sell on "Value" not on "Price", and what fabulous value. Meet your pals, enjoy good company, watch a match, eat great pub grub, stop being lonely, sit by a warm fire, read a newspaper, play darts , find a romance, contribute to a charity, entertain friends, listen to a band, laugh, tell jokes, hear jokes and much more.
So a pint sat at home for £1.20 versus all of the above for another £1. No contest in my view!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
I argued with myself in previous blogs and finally came down on the side of supporting the idea, on the grounds that any initiative to reduce the retail price gap twixt pubs and supermarkets would benefit pubs. Well now it’s gone (or going away) to be replaced by a more modest policy with the introduction of a ban on selling very cheap prices or loss leaders.
Most informed people within the industry thought it would never happen, and so it has proved to be. So pubs continue with the challenge to sell on "Value" not on "Price", and what fabulous value. Meet your pals, enjoy good company, watch a match, eat great pub grub, stop being lonely, sit by a warm fire, read a newspaper, play darts , find a romance, contribute to a charity, entertain friends, listen to a band, laugh, tell jokes, hear jokes and much more.
So a pint sat at home for £1.20 versus all of the above for another £1. No contest in my view!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Friday, 10 May 2013
'Pubs are Great' Campaign To Promote UK Tourism
A combined initiative to promote British Pubs, who would have thought it?
What is: a great product, one of the world’s greatest institutions and the third most popular reason given by tourists for visiting Britain?…THE BRITISH PUB!
And so the BBPA (British Pub and Beer Association) have teamed up with Visit Britain to launch a campaign to encourage people to visit pubs.
The marketing will be titled 'Pubs are Great' and HMG will be involved, as their Visit Britain campaign will give support to the initiative.
Is this what "Dave" meant when he recently said, "We are going to do more to help the British Pub"? Let's hope so. More of it say I!
Thought for the day: "It's never too late"
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
What is: a great product, one of the world’s greatest institutions and the third most popular reason given by tourists for visiting Britain?…THE BRITISH PUB!
And so the BBPA (British Pub and Beer Association) have teamed up with Visit Britain to launch a campaign to encourage people to visit pubs.
The marketing will be titled 'Pubs are Great' and HMG will be involved, as their Visit Britain campaign will give support to the initiative.
Is this what "Dave" meant when he recently said, "We are going to do more to help the British Pub"? Let's hope so. More of it say I!
Thought for the day: "It's never too late"
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Pro-pub MP Downplays VAT Cut
The battle lines are being drawn! The PMA reports that Chairman of the All-party Beer Group Andrew Griffiths has declared campaigns designed to persuade the Chancellor to cut VAT for the hospitality sector as an "exercise in fantasy politics". The MP said that "As a politician I couldn’t seriously go into the Treasury and, with a straight face, make the case for a VAT cut like this."
Thought for the day: “Well he would say that wouldn’t he”
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training
Thought for the day: “Well he would say that wouldn’t he”
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training
Thursday, 18 April 2013
A Plea For Minimum Alcohol Pricing Leadership
In a Blog some months ago I had a torturous argument with myself as to whether I supported Minimum Pricing or not, eventually on the grounds that it would contribute somewhat to helping The British Pub, I came down in favour of a Yes!
Now today 12 very influential CEOs within our industry have written in the Telegraph with a similar plea to “Call me Dave” to “stick to his guns” and bring in the measure.
The argument goes something like this:
Minimum pricing will not solve all of our alcohol-related ills, but it will help to encourage responsible drinking and curb excessive drinking. All too often customers arrive at licensed premises already blitzed, often to be refused entrance. They then go onto cause mayhem in town centres which in turn reflects badly on pubs and clubs, but its nothing to do with them because the alcohol has been consumed at home beforehand!! Pretty unfair, Eh?
In their letter, they urge Dave (my term) “not to waste the opportunity” and ask that he continues to show courage and leadership in theses difficult times. Bit of a different degree of courage that Maggie (God rest her soul) had to show when the Falklands were invaded. But never the less Dave needs to follow up his pledge of some time ago that minimum Pricing is a pillar of conservative policy.
The Treasury are opposing the introduction, and several ministers have argued that it will penalise the majority of drinkers - so time to be counted Dave. The British pub needs all of the support it can get. 1 million jobs, £8 billion raised in taxes!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training
Now today 12 very influential CEOs within our industry have written in the Telegraph with a similar plea to “Call me Dave” to “stick to his guns” and bring in the measure.
The argument goes something like this:
Minimum pricing will not solve all of our alcohol-related ills, but it will help to encourage responsible drinking and curb excessive drinking. All too often customers arrive at licensed premises already blitzed, often to be refused entrance. They then go onto cause mayhem in town centres which in turn reflects badly on pubs and clubs, but its nothing to do with them because the alcohol has been consumed at home beforehand!! Pretty unfair, Eh?
In their letter, they urge Dave (my term) “not to waste the opportunity” and ask that he continues to show courage and leadership in theses difficult times. Bit of a different degree of courage that Maggie (God rest her soul) had to show when the Falklands were invaded. But never the less Dave needs to follow up his pledge of some time ago that minimum Pricing is a pillar of conservative policy.
The Treasury are opposing the introduction, and several ministers have argued that it will penalise the majority of drinkers - so time to be counted Dave. The British pub needs all of the support it can get. 1 million jobs, £8 billion raised in taxes!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
The Next On-going Pub Battle!
New powers have been given to councils across the UK, under the National Planning Policy Framework, to give greater protection to community pubs; the trick is to get more councils to make use of them!
Some 18 pubs continue to close each week and we need councils to follow the lead of Cambridge, Bristol and a few others in creating Pro-Pubs policies.
All too often loopholes in the planning system allow a pub to be knocked down and turned into a supermarket, betting shop or payday loan shop. Once a pub has gone it really has gone and will not be replaced!
CAMRA that mighty and good organisation is supporting the Save the Pub groups campaign to encourage councils to use policies to support and protect pubs with strong local policies. We at Inn-Dispensable are also doing all we can to add our weight to this worthy cause.
These efforts must be backed up by the Government to close loopholes that allow pubs to be demolished or converted to other uses without local community consultation.
All who contributed to the Beer Duty Escalator issue and won, can now show another united front to protect one of the worlds Greatest Institutions: THE BRITISH PUB.
Personal Licence Training from Inn-dispensable
Some 18 pubs continue to close each week and we need councils to follow the lead of Cambridge, Bristol and a few others in creating Pro-Pubs policies.
All too often loopholes in the planning system allow a pub to be knocked down and turned into a supermarket, betting shop or payday loan shop. Once a pub has gone it really has gone and will not be replaced!
CAMRA that mighty and good organisation is supporting the Save the Pub groups campaign to encourage councils to use policies to support and protect pubs with strong local policies. We at Inn-Dispensable are also doing all we can to add our weight to this worthy cause.
These efforts must be backed up by the Government to close loopholes that allow pubs to be demolished or converted to other uses without local community consultation.
All who contributed to the Beer Duty Escalator issue and won, can now show another united front to protect one of the worlds Greatest Institutions: THE BRITISH PUB.
Personal Licence Training from Inn-dispensable
Friday, 15 March 2013
Another Possible Attack On The UK Pub Trade
The UK Government are apparently planning to add "public health" onto the list of licensing objectives where authorities are wanting to introduce CIPs (cumulative impact policies).
This policy will restrict the existence and growth of licenced premises in certain areas. A licensing authority can introduce a CIP on the grounds that a new pub will add to crime and disorder.
Gerald Gouriet a highly respected QC, speaking recently a major trade event explained that; "It will be hard for a licencee to say that their premises will not harm health in the area, it is already difficult enough to demonstrate that a pub does not add to crime, disorder and nuisance. The industry is going to be fighting a real battle where all of the weapons are on the other side. We are going to be defenceless!".
Oh dear, what a grim prognosis.
Thought for the day: "Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left" Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Personal Licence Training from Inn-dispensable
This policy will restrict the existence and growth of licenced premises in certain areas. A licensing authority can introduce a CIP on the grounds that a new pub will add to crime and disorder.
Gerald Gouriet a highly respected QC, speaking recently a major trade event explained that; "It will be hard for a licencee to say that their premises will not harm health in the area, it is already difficult enough to demonstrate that a pub does not add to crime, disorder and nuisance. The industry is going to be fighting a real battle where all of the weapons are on the other side. We are going to be defenceless!".
Oh dear, what a grim prognosis.
Thought for the day: "Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left" Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Personal Licence Training from Inn-dispensable
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