The Publican's 30th Birthday: Christian Davis

Christian Davis, former editor of The Publican Newspaper, helps mark The Publican Newspaper's 30th Birthday.

• What were you doing 30 years ago? ​
  
  I was a 'cub reporter' on the South London Press. Learning 'on the job' in the time-honoured, old-fashioned, way. I went to Harlow Technical College to learn shorthand, law and all the rest, along with the likes of Kelvin Mackenzie, Piers Morgan and Martin Dunn (ex-Sun and editor of Today).
  
• What has been the biggest change in the pub industry in the past 30 years?​
  
  The disbanding of the large national brewers' tied house system which resulted in the demise of some great British drinks companies - Bass, Whitbread, and Allied-Lyons.
  
• Which individual has had the biggest impact on the pub trade in the past 30 years?​
  
  Lord Young, in Mrs Thatcher's Government, with his Beer Orders in 1990 which led to the above. Also, Tim Martin of Wetherspoon's for managing to break the LVAs' ability to block new licences, and thus turn ordinary high street shop units into pubs.
  
• What are the biggest challenges facing the industry over the next 30 years?​
  
  To get people out of their homes, away from their TVs and DVDs, and back to doing their drinking in their local pubs. To further improve professionalism and standards among licenses and their staff, particularly with regard to food and catering for families.

For example I went to two pubs in Deal, Kent on a Sunday morning recently, both of which advertised 'breakfast'. It was 9.50am and one said they had finished and were working on lunch and at the other, the doors were closed. This mentality is ridiculous and guaranteed to lose custom. No wonder McDonalds hoovered up the family market. When did you first read a copy of The Publican?​

Approximately 23 years ago. I was on the Morning Advertiser when it was a daily newspaper, based in Brixton.

Disillusioned and fed up, Peter Martin poached me to join Publican, which was then fortnightly. It was one of the best jobs I have ever had. I like to think Peter and I laid at least some of the foundations for what Publican is today. Do you have a message for us on our 30th birthday?​

Cheers and keep the good work up.