Publican Conference to tackle smoke ban implications
Operators facing a smoke-free regime could get some pointers on how to get their properties ready for the onslaught of a smoking ban at The Publican Property Conference.
SA Brain retail director Philip Lay (pictured), who is at the forefront of the smoking debate in Wales, will discuss the upcoming smoking ban. The brewer has already introduced no-smoking pubs across its estate and has also been at the cutting edge of innovative pub design. He brings an insight into preparing for a smoke-free regime and offers some potential solutions to one of the biggest issues facing the pub property sector.
Trevor Watson, director at Davis Coffer Lyons, will look at the legislation issues facing the pub property sector. Over the last year the property market has been at the receiving end of a raft of legislation, from planning laws and disability legislation to rate reviews. He will give his view on how operators can get through this red tape minefield.
The new licensing regime will be about to come into force with its inevitable impact on the property market and Jeremy Allen of licensing lawyers Poppleston Allen will discuss the implications for operators. The new Act has implications for pubcos and landlords holding premises licences.
Pub companies have come under fire for leasing their pubs to rogue operators who are ripping off potential licensees. Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, will be kicking off a panel debate by raising his concerns about the numbers of rogue recruitment companies which have been leasing pubs from the major pub companies.
Neil Griffiths, Punch Taverns' new strategy and property director, and Peter Constantine, director of Humberts Leisure, will be discussing the issue during a debate.
John Longden, head of Pub is the Hub, will focus on the wider role that rural licensees and their pubs can play in supporting and delivering other sustainable services for their communities. He is also trustee of the Community Pubs Foundation, an organisation set up to support communities who wish to object to planning proposals. Pub is the Hub encourages the diversification of rural pubs to provide sustainable services for their communities. It encourages breweries, pub owners, licensees and local communities to work together to help and retain rural pubs. Barry Gillham, chairman of Fleurets, is taking the helm as the chair of the conference.
- For further details or to book your delegate place at The Publican Conference 2005, contact Michele Hams on 020 7955 3754 or email zunzf@pzcvasbezngvba.pbz. Alternatively, you can go to www.publicanconference.co.uk
