A List of Campaigns Against Ever-Rising Pub Closures
Against a background report from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), that in the six months to March this year, an increased rate of pub closures went up from eighteen per week to twenty six per week, the industry and other parties are stepping up their tremendous efforts to protect and promote our pub industry. Here are a few things that are happening; A new consumer campaign, complimentary to the campaign I blogged on last week (Pubs are Great) has been launched to celebrate Britain’s passion for pubs. “Its Better Down the Pub” encourages pub goers to celebrate why they love pubs so much. Take a look on YouTube at the video. There are some heavyweight players behind the campaign including Admiral Taverns, The BII, Everards, Fullers, The Pub is the Hub and SIBA (Society Independent Brewers) and many other supporters. Then there is Jacques Borel continuing with his campaign to have VAT reduced for the Hospitality Sector, some £1.4 million has so far been spent on the campaign and Mr Borel boasts that in 6o countries across the world where he has run similar campaigns, he has been successful in 58 of them! In addition to his belief that a reduction will drive job opportunities he further argues that with an election not too far away, politicians will be eager to demonstrate any way in which they can reduce un-employment. Some senior politicians seem to rubbish his rationale…we will see. Then we have the Skills Sector for Hospitably forecasting that 50% of all employers will take on an apprentice, this will do wonders to raise the skill level and customer care levels within pubs. Politically, another campaign to save pubs from closure is running via CAMRA. “List you Local” encourages residents to list their local pub as an “Asset of Community Value”, once listed it gives more time and opportunity to explore other options rather than closure. And how about UKIPs campaign “Save the Pub” no matter what your politics are, saving the pub seems a pretty neutral political thrust but only UKIP claim to be the Political Party for The Pub (their words not mine!). Here's another for you “Fair Deal for Your Local” - even more political this one, I chose to stay out of this debate! Not sure where HMG is with Minimum Pricing but I guess it is still on an agenda somewhere! As for Inn-Dispensable, we continue with our efforts to raise Knowledge Skill and Attitudes of staff within pubs throughout our extensive range of courses! All of this combined surely must have an impact on encouraging customers back into the pub? Martin Read CMBII Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training
