{"id":2874,"date":"2022-07-25T17:16:09","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T17:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/?p=2874"},"modified":"2022-07-25T17:17:44","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T17:17:44","slug":"news-and-views-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php\/2022\/07\/25\/news-and-views-2\/","title":{"rendered":"News and views"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ARE PUB TENANCIES UNDER THREAT?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are seeing a continuing loss of tenanted pubs through pub owning businesses (POBs) converting them to managed houses. XXX you will see a report of the presentation of CAMRA\u2019s South West London branch Pub of the Year award to the Eagle Ale House<\/strong> in Battersea. The next day we learned that Stonegate, who own the head lease, had refused to grant the current tenants a new agreement. They have run the pub for 27 years. This is possible under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the justification is that the POB wants the property for their own commercial purposes. It may be legal but is it fair that they can just close down someone\u2019s business and, most likely, profit from the tenant\u2019s years of hard work (to begin with, at least). There is only a meagre provision for compensation. This practice is not covered by the Pubs Code. In their recent white paper A Fairer Private Rented Sector, the Government has recognised that the equivalent provision should be abolished for residential accommodation. Perhaps the same principle should be extended to commercial tenancies. The tenants of the Eagle Ale House intend challenging their POB\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE PUBS CODE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legislation that created the Pubs Code (the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015) provides for its operation to be reviewed at intervals. The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Department is now consulting on the second statutory review, covering the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022. The announcement says, \u2018We are seeking views from all those with an interest in the operation of the Pubs Code and the performance of the Pubs Code Adjudicator. This includes, but is not restricted to, the pub-owning businesses covered by the Code, tied (and previously tied) pub tenants and those that represent their interests, trade bodies and the Pubs Code Adjudicator\u2019. CAMRA will, of course, be making a submission. The closing date is 17 August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curiously however, the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee decided to hold its own inquiry. This was due to take place on 12 July, just as this article was being finalised. Their intention appears to be largely similar to the review, although they may concentrate on the continued domination of the industry by the large pub owning businesses and how the POBs are allegedly working around the code\u2019s intentions. Readers of this magazine will be only too familiar with this topic. The committee will call witnesses from those bodies who represent tenants, representatives of the POBs and the Pubs Code Adjudicator, Fiona Dickie. We will report further in the next edition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the minister responsible for the Pubs Code, Paul Scully, has moved on as part of the recent ministerial reshuffle. His replacement is Jane Hunt, the MP for Loughborough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ENERGY PRICES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the decision of the licensee of the Live & Let Live<\/strong> in Harpole (NN7 4DP) to end her tenancy because increased energy prices made it impossible for her to continue, CAMRA\u2019s Northamptonshire branch wrote to their local MP asking him to lobby for a support package for pubs. Their chairman, Bernie Peal said, \u201cAs a local consumer group, Northamptonshire CAMRA is worried about the ability of patrons to support local pubs through this tough time. We know that pubs are hard hit by the cost-of-business crisis but consumers have the cost-of-living crisis too. We will continue to support our locals where possible but they also need support from the Government with rising costs and energy bills.\u201d CAMRA\u2019s National Chairman, Nik Antona, added, \u201cI fully support our Northants members in raising the issue of skyrocketing energy bills for pubs. Not being able to go to the pub during periods of pandemic restrictions has made many of us realise just how valuable our community locals are as a part of our social fabric \u2013 bringing people together and tackling loneliness and social isolation. It would be a national scandal if pubs that have survived the pandemic are forced to close for good because they can\u2019t cope with sky high energy bills. That\u2019s why we are asking local MPs and the Government to offer some support to local pub businesses so they can continue to survive and thrive at the heart of our local communities<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, CAMRA has created a campaign pack to help members join in the lobbying. It contains a briefing on the issue and templates for both letters to MPs and local press releases, together with some campaigning ideas. It is available from the Campaigns Hub in the Volunteers\u2019 Area of the CAMRA website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALCOHOL DUTY REVIEW<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A further announcement is awaited from HM Treasury about the next round of consultations which should lead to the introduction of the legislation implementing the changes. This, hopefully, will happen around the time of the autumn Budget. CAMRA are hoping to see the Treasury back down on the original proposal to have a 40 litre container threshold for the draught duty rate. CAMRA believes that the limit should be 20 litres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CASK ALE WEEK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s Cask Ale Week will run from 22 September until 2 October. The event is sponsored by Cask Marque, with the support of trade associations, the British Beer & Pub Association, UKHospitality and the British Institute of Innkeeping, who will be running a full media campaign. CAMRA will be also running a consumer marketing campaign for cask beer during September. The event\u2019s website is already open: https:\/\/caskaleweek.co.uk\/.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHARITY BEGINS IN THE PUB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These figures come from the PubAid organisation, which is an industry supported body dedicated to promoting pubs as a force for good in their local communities. They provide some food for thought.
\u2022Every year, pubs raise over \u00a3100 million for around 2,000 charities and worthy causes.
\u2022Pubs raise a further \u00a340 million in funds or in-kind support for grassroots sport.
\u2022Pubs that hold fundraising events (77% of them) raise an average of \u00a32,742 per annum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NIGHT TIME ENTERPRISE ZONES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 7 June, the Mayor of London announced the creation of Night Time Enterprise Zones to promote London\u2019s post-pandemic economic recovery. The \u00a3500,000 programme will help borough councils make their high streets more accessible, inclusive and welcoming after 6pm. It is being run in partnership with the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP). Plans should include extending opening hours, holding special events, taking measures to improve women\u2019s safety and supporting improved employ-ment standards for those working at night. The programme builds on the success of a trial zone in Waltham Forest in 2019. London\u2019s Night Czar, Amy Lam\u00e9, said, \u201cOur city is incredibly active at night but too often our high streets shut down from 6pm, offering no reason for people to be there. Through our Night Time Enterprise Zone programme we want to help reimagine our high streets with innovative ideas and help councils, communities and businesses to pioneer better ways of living, working and doing business<\/em>.\u201d Let us hope that pubs do not get overlooked in this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP FUND<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 11 June, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced that a second round of funding was available from the Community Ownership Fund to help local groups take ownership of community assets, including pubs and clubs. Grants were made to three pubs in the first round. The rules have been eased for round two. Previously, the asset had needed to have been in use within the previous five years but this requirement has been dropped. Similarly, there had been a requirement that the project had to be finished within six months. This has now been extended to a year. Also, previously, applicants had to have a lease of at least 25 years on the asset but this has been reduced to 15 years. This is a worthwhile initiative but, sadly, being aimed at local communities, it has limited use in London. Full details can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can keep up to date with these and other stories via CAMRA\u2019s London Region Twitter feed @CAMRA_London.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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