CAMRA relaunches National Pubs Week under new banner

Lack of support from pubcos has prompted the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to scrap National Pubs Week and replace it with a new community-focused initiative.

Mike Benner, CAMRA's chief executive, said it had "mixed experiences" in the past in pubco backing for the campaign. "It seems odd when someone runs thousands of pubs, but it isn't as easy as you would think to get people involved," he added.

Instead National Pubs Week will be replaced by Community Pubs Week, which is scheduled to run from February 17 to 24, 2007.

The new scheme aims to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to support their local pub.

Asked whether he thought pubcos would get involved in the campaign, Mr Benner said: "I will reserve judgement on that."

He admitted that National Pubs Week had "lacked focus", but added: "The feedback from our members was they wanted us to do something more community-focused. I think it's more in line with what CAMRA is all about."

Last year, CAMRA research revealed that 26 community pubs closed every month in Britain.

Mr Benner added: "In light of the smoking ban and the increased pressure on pubs, it is pubs in the community and those on the margin that are most at risk."

However, the two biggest pubcos in the country have already expressed an interest in the scheme.

A spokesperson for Punch Taverns said: "We will be notifying all of our pubs about Community Pubs Week and would certainly recommend that our retailers and managers take part in this worthwhile scheme."

An Enterprise spokesman said

that he saw "no reason" why the company would not engage with the scheme.

For more information visit: www. camra.org.uk/communitypubsweek