Pints of View No.285

1 HERTFORDSHIRE’S Pints of View The bi -monthly publication for every discerning drinker October / November 2017 Circulati on 8750 No. 285 A new lease of life for the Three South Herts CAMRA make a stir at Horseshoes in Willian, with a freehold McMullen’s brewery for a special purchase from Greene King making it anniversary ale. free of tie. Report from what could be the last Watford & District CAMRA present Bishop’s Stortford Beer and Cider Land of Liberty, Peace & Plenty in Festival held at the Royal British Heronsgate their award for being Legion. voted Hertfordshire’s Pub of the Year. Î North Herts CAMRA South Herts Beer Festivals — report CAMRA’s November and an announcement Hertford pub tour 2 THE BITTER END Ministers must ensure success of the Pubs Code inisters must act to deliver a change of long and costing too much. approach from the Pubs Code Adjudicator “If the office charged with upholding that new law Mfollowing 12 months of confusion and isn’t able to deliver clarity, speed of action and delay. While the Pubs Code was introduced one affordable dispute resolution then the Pubs Code is year ago in order to end unfair practices in the meaningless. It is vital that Ministers take action sector, progress so far has been disappointing - and now to ensure that the Pubs Code Adjudicator requests for key information have been rejected by provides detailed guidance, acts transparently and the Pubs Code Adjudicator. publishes details of the principles being identified in The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has published individual cases.” a three point plan calling on Paul Newby the Pubs Data obtained by CAMRA via the Freedom of Code Adjudicator to: Information Act shows that in the first 10 months of • Provide guidance on aspects of the Pubs Code the Pubs Code’s existence, more than 500 enquires that are currently unclear, such as Market Rent were made to the Adjudicator, with more than 150 Only lease terms, stocking requirements and arbitration cases registered. But CAMRA’s request dilapidations for other crucial information, such as the number of • Publish a breakdown of arbitration cases by pub arbitration cases per Pub Company and a company and issue breakdown of cases by issue, has been refused. An appeal against that ruling is being submitted to Paul • Publish general principles being identified in Newby. cases which will help with interpretation of the Colin Valentine, CAMRA’s National Chairman Pubs Code continues: In addition, CAMRA is calling on pub-owning “The Pubs Code Adjudicator is undermining the companies and tenants to abide by the spirit of the successful operation of the Pubs Code by keeping Code and avoid unnecessary delays in the secret the number of arbitration cases per Pub resolution of disputes. It is recognised that both the Company. It is vital that this information is made legislation and the procedures that have been put in public so that pressure can be brought to bear on place are not perfect, but the arbitration process the most complained-about pub companies to could be made better if there was greater better comply with the Code. It is stretching cooperation by all parties. credibility that information that was published Colin Valentine, CAMRA’s National Chairman through the old self-regulatory regime is now being says: withheld from the public. The Adjudicator’s refusal “A healthy pub sector that delivers for consumers is to release this data gives the impression that he is dependent on ensuring that pub tenants are able to more concerned with the interests of pub secure a fair deal from their landlords. Too many companies than he is with the interests of tenants great pubs have been lost because of sky high rents and the communities that their pubs serve.” and inflated wholesale beer prices. The Toby Perkins MP, Chairman of the All Party Government demonstrated its understanding of the Parliamentary Pubs Group says: problem by bringing in the Pubs Code. Now it must “The All Party Pub Group has met with act to ensure its will is carried through - before we representatives of the pub owning companies and see another year go by with many more pubs lost to the tenants to explore their experiences with regard their communities forever. to the Pub Code. We share CAMRA’s concerns that “We welcomed the introduction of the Pubs Code the spirit of the legislation may not be being and have always wanted to give Paul Newby a followed and that the Code is proving less effective chance to succeed in his role as Adjudicator. The than it ought and will be inviting Mr Newby to our chaotic circumstances surrounding the introduction next meeting to discuss these concerns. of the Pubs Code a year ago meant that the Code’s “Following the meeting, I am on behalf of the Group introduction was always going to be challenging, issuing a call for evidence about any issues that but we are disappointed that more progress has not people or organisations in the industry are been made. The need for an effective Pubs Code has experiencing with the code and invite them to email been clearly demonstrated in the first year, with me at [email protected] with their over 150 pub tenants bringing forward arbitration experiences so we might be fully informed about cases, but it is evident that the process is taking too the best way to ensure the code delivers the 3 THE BITTER END objectives expected of it.” The Pubs Code only applies to pubs based in England and Wales. CAMRA calls for new Business Rate Relief for Pubs AMRA is calling on the Government to stop viable community pubs from being driven Cout of business by introducing a £5,000 annual reduction on their rocketing business rates. Reviews of business rates across England are seeing many pubs hit with a massive new financial burden, which in some cases could only be covered by them selling tens of thousands of extra pints of beer every year. CAMRA is asking MPs to address the sky-high tax burden on pubs which is a major factor contributing to the 21 pub closures a week. The campaign follows new research conducted by YouGov on behalf of CAMRA which found that the public overwhelmingly supports an urgent tax break for pubs. More than two-thirds (69%) of people who expressed an opinion agree with the argument that pubs should receive tax relief as they provide safe, managed places for people to get together and drink responsibly. While the Government introduced a one-off £1,000 What is the incentive to run a successful business if discount scheme for some pubs in the latest Budget, the additional profits are taken away in rates? The CAMRA says this action does not go far enough to £1,000 reduction is just a drop in the ocean when help keep many afloat. rates are increased by £20,000 - any publican will Sean Hughes, landlord of the Boo t pub in St Albans, tell you that the business rates system is the most which has stood on its site since the 16 th Century, is unjust cost to successfully run pubs in this country.” set to see his rates bill soar by 280% over the next Colin Valentine, CAMRA’s National Chairman says: five years from £14,000 a year to £52,000. He says: “Taxes now make up more than a third of the cost "Our new business rates bill means that we would of a pub pint. Despite the fact that pubs currently have to sell an additional 22,000 pints of beer a year account for 0.5% of turnover of the UK economy, just to pay for the increase. I can't see how we're they are still paying 2.8% of the business rates. This going to do that - it leaves us in a very difficult is frankly unsustainable, and it is the consumer that situation. We’ve already had to increase our beer will ultimately pay the price - whether it's when prices by 10p per pint, and expect that to increase their beloved local closes down or when the price to 35p a pint. If our customers can’t afford a pint at of their pint goes up. the pub they will go elsewhere, which means that “It’s clear that most of us believe that pubs need our our historic pub of 600 years may cease to be viable help and recognise the vital role that they play in and close. We urgently need support from the local communities. From celebrating a special Government to continue trading.” occasion to meeting up with friends after work, James Brown who runs three pubs as part of the pubs are an integral part of many people’s social Brown Ales portfolio agrees, saying: “All of our pubs lives. Business rate relief is urgently needed in order are multi-CAMRA award winning pubs and are to ensure their continued survival.” seeing enormous increases to their business rates. CAMRA is also calling on the Chancellor to freeze The Chesterfield Arms in Chesterfield has seen its beer duty for the rest of the Parliament to help cap rateable value rise from £27,000 to £64,000 - an the price of beer, keeping more money in increase in its final business rates bill of 140%. consumers' pockets and helping the pubs and brewing sector to grow. 4 Beer Industry News Can Pub Co Publicans escape Authority. This may have been a factor in the sale as the deal for 47% of Admiral (the controlling the Tie? holding) was completed with a consortium of t has been suggested in the trade press that Magners C & C Group and Proporium Capitol hundreds of Punch Taverns pubs might be able Partners - an American investment company.

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