Fighting fund call
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initiatives it is undertaking.
Though firm proposals and timescales have yet to be drawn up, the BBPA told Hutt that it hopes a clear, long-term strategy aimed at reversing anti-pub sentiment can be put into action early in the new year.
The association's acclaimed Beautiful Beer campaign, which has united the industry and impressed national food and drink editors, is likely to act as a model for a pro-pub campaign.
BBPA chairman Ted Tuppen said: 'We've spoken to Chris and explained what's going on behind the scenes. I'm very confident that there's not a lot more the BBPA could be doing.
'It's working very effectively. The days of shouting at government are long gone, thank goodness: it just doesn't work. We have to play a long game.
'Relations with Government are more positive and grown up than they've ever been: we are having a very constructive debate.
'As for The Daily Mail, we're not going to change their views using logic. The best thing is not to over-react to their sensationalist approach. But I do applaud the excellent campaign the MA has launched.
Nick Bish, chief executive of the ALMR, to which Laurel belongs, said: 'I can see why high-street operators would want to discuss these issues.
'It's true that we're not reaching the public, but the debate we're already having is about how do we do that. Just taking ads in national papers could be mocked, and might be throwing good money after bad. And the costs of doing something really big to reach the public are daunting.
'Do member companies want to pay far bigger subscriptions to tackle what's a national and cultural problem?
So successful is the MA's Heart of the Community initiative proving that another weekly pub title has fallen in line behind the MA and launched its own campaign of pub support. Said MA editor Andrew Pring: 'It's great they've copied our initiative. This is such a big battle for the trade that we need every little bit of help we can get.
l Beacon of hope p8
l Pubs renaissance p17
