BBPA's campaign call to off-trade
by MA Reporter The British Beer and Pub Association is urging the off-trade to join its campaign to present a united front on issues affecting the drinks trade. The BBPA feels it is equipped to represent the off-trade as well as pubs, as pressure mounts to deal with excessive drinking following the publication of the Government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. The plea follows Thresher's decision last month to join the traditionally pub-dominated group. Thresher's outgoing chief executive David Williams urged the on and off-trades to "stand together" when he spoke at the recent Key Issues for the Licensed Retail Conference. "We should get away from our own insular needs and work together to convey some very positive messages about alcohol. "The Government will only listen if we have our act together." He added: "It is only by taking a unified approach that we will make an impact in turning around the negative image of alcohol and that of our industry. "The BBPA is fully committed to enhancing the reputation of the drinks industry, and through our membership we are demonstrating our own commitment to working in cohesion with the on-trade." BBPA spokesman Mark Hast-ings said: "On the beer side it seems a natural extension to start including the off-trade. "It just increases the weight of voice we can deploy on key issues to ensure the whole sector is well represented. "The National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy really focuses the mind." The BBPA, however, denied that it had embarked on an active recruitment drive among off-licences, but rather it was "always talking to a wide range of companies". Some of the organisations representing the drinks industry
Association of Convenience Stores
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers
British Institute of Innkeeping
British Beer & Pub Association l British Retail Consortium l Campaign for Real Ale
Federation of Wholesale Distributors l Gin & Vodka Association
Independent Family Brewers of Britain l Portman Group
Society of Independent Brewers l Wine & Spirit Association l Wine Trade Action Group
