Industry figures supporting Proud of Pubs

Leading industry figures explain why they're supporting The Publican's new Proud of Pubs campaign.

• Rob Hayward, chief executive, British Beer & Pub Association:​ "I am keen to support your campaign. The sector is right to be proud of what we achieve for communities up and down the land. There are a few rotten apples but they should not be taken as being representative of a truly great industry."

Giles Thorley, chief executive, Punch Taverns:​ "The British pub is the most enduring franchise in the world, acting as a focus for communities throughout the country. We need to remind the country about the social importance pubs provide and encourage more people back to their local."

Ted Tuppen, chief executive, Enterprise Inns:​ "I am very happy to support Proud of Pubs, it's absolutely vital to put forward a positive image of the trade and give the industry the chance to repair the damage that, to a large extent, has been self-inflicted.

"Low pricing, irresponsible promotions - these are all things that the industry did to itself."

Nick Bish, chief executive, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers:​ "The Publican is best placed to get this message across. But this message has got to reach outwards and beyond.

"We want publicans to be leaving your messages on the shop counter and talking to their customers. They are powerful messages to get across and we must do everything we can to do so."

Tim Martin, chairman and founder, JD Wetherspoon:​ "Good luck. Pubs are the cornerstone of our way of social life. Imagine only going to dinner parties."

John McNamara, chief executive, the BII:​ "I totally endorse the Proud of Pubs campaign and the BII will certainly support every activity to raise our positive profile with politicians and our customers."

Barry Gillham, chairman, Fleurets:​ "I would be delighted to support the campaign. The Basket Makers in Brighton and the Kings' Arms in WC1 are locals to two of our offices. I wish there was a few hundred more as good as these!"

Tony Payne, chief executive, Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations:​ "I've said time and time again that this industry doesn't sell itself enough. We don't brag enough about all the money the trade raises for charity. Pubs are always quick to rally around a good cause. I've yet to go to a pub and not see a collection box.

"Pubs take a lot of stress away from people - and we don't tell enough people about it."

Anthony Fuller, chairman, Fuller, Smith & Turner:​ "We should all be proud of our pubs - they are the natural home of responsible drinking, with licensees who care, tending to their customers. Pubs have played a major role in the history of Britain and we are merely looking after our pubs for future generations - we must protect their heritage, and should be aiming to reinstate the role of the licensee as a pillar of society."

Mike Benner, chief executive, the Campaign for Real Ale:​ "The Proud of Pubs campaign is much needed given the slating pubs are getting in certain sectors of the national press. CAMRA warmly welcomes it.

"The British pub is a phenomenon, unique in the world, and people need to celebrate the positives it brings to the British way of life."

Bill Sharp, the Kings Arms, London Bridge and spokesman for the Guild of Master Victuallers:​ "The pub has done its good work in the past and has got to continue. We need our trade voice and this campaign sounds a winner."

Stephen Goodyear, chief executive, Young's:​ "It will be great to see something that highlights the positive aspects of the licensed trade, which seem to be entirely ignored by an irresponsible national press."

Karen Jones, chief executive, Spirit Group:​ "I am very happy to support The Publican's campaign. Let's make pubs to be proud of, and make people proud of our pubs."

Mark Hastings, director of communications, British Beer & Pub Association:​ "Pubs have long been at the heart of social life in Britain. We now need to reconnect with people and re-energise the emotional attachment they have to pubs. It's time to breathe new life and vitality into a long-standing relationship."

Robert Humphreys, secretary, All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group:​ "This is a splendid and overdue idea which I thoroughly applaud. You have my full support as well as best wishes."

Paul Wells, managing director, Charles Wells:​ "It's become fashionable to portray pubs as dens of underage binge- drinking, social disorder and worse, and everyone I know in the industry supports action by the authorities to control these bad apples. Yet we all know a brilliant, tucked away, gem of a pub which we like to use, so how about some balance in the media's portrayal of a great institution - the British pub."

Roger Jackson, the Anglesey Arms, Halnaker, West Sussex:​ "I am fully behind the campaign - there are so many good hard working publicans out there who do have not trouble in their pubs."

Colin Wellstead, head of pubs and restaurants, Christie & Co:​ "The British pub - despite everything - is still a phenomenal institution and the best in the world by far. Despite all the knocks on the industry, often from within, it is still a great trade to work in and I am proud to have been involved with it for 37 years."

Chris Hutt, chairman, Laurel Pub Company:​ "I fully support any campaign that is called Proud of Pubs. We should all be proud of the great British pub - it's a marvellous institution."

Bobby Neame, chairman, Shepherd Neame:​ "One of the features of pubs is that they serve traditional draught beer and, of course, the drinking of it is very much a feature of pubs. I am fully behind this campaign as it is vital to the future of beer that pubs and the on-trade are fully maintained alongside the growing off-trade."