THE GUV'NOR

Dennis Griffiths

Licensee of the Miners' Rest, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, extols the virtues of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations

In response to Peter

Eveleigh's opinion piece (The Guv'nor, MA, 19 April 2007) may I say I totally agree with almost every word he says.

I'd only disagree with one point: "We have no cohesive trade association willing to stand up for our business with an unambiguous

lobbying voice".

May I refer you to Tony Payne, CBE, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA)?

In 1992, when the National

Licensed Victuallers

Association (NLVA) folded, its northern office at Brighouse was bought with the help of local LVAs, and the FLVA was founded. Ever since, the Association's daily work has been well-chronicled in trade and national newspapers.

It covers numerous areas, including representation to Government and pubcos, health and safety advice, employment laws and trade courses. Members who face rent-review problems and employment issues are

represented free.

Frequent meetings with Government ministers are held: Eric Isley MP is our parliamentary voice, helping clarify matters such as

designated premises

supervisor status and

holidays with Culture

Secretary, Tessa Jowell MP.

The Association holds two annual meetings with LVAs in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Wales.

Annual FLVA membership costs £141 (including VAT), which seems small

compared to benefits such as free employment contracts, health and safety and food-hygiene manuals, a disability audit book and staff training manual with BII accreditation.

Our AGM, held each

November in Scarborough, features a free business seminar: contact the FLVA's head office at Brighouse on 01484 710 534 for details.