MyShout

It's time the Government considered the real impact of its activities on the trade, says David Elliott

Once again our industry is being pounded by Government activity. From underage sting operations, new alcohol labelling, proposed planning changes or a push for plastic, the pub industry is the focus. The pressure on licensees has never been greater - I wonder how they cope. I cannot think of any other industry where bureaucracy and red tape has gone completely bonkers. Small businesses are finding it increasingly hard to keep up. Who can blame them?

A year ago, Greene King submitted our concerns to the All-Parliamentary Beer Group on the massive problems facing community pubs. One of our long-standing licensees, Yvonne Cleminson, of the Cherry Tree at Rowledge, Surrey, presented her case very eloquently and passionately. Unfortunately we've had very little back - indeed, one could argue that the situation has deteriorated.

What we have got is a proposed change to planning laws. We would all welcome applications being made easier, using a new e-system and a single method of application adopted by all local authorities - now that would be novel!

It would certainly make capital investments and other changes much easier, but I wonder if this White Paper has been put together with any regard to recent licensing reform and some bizarre interpretations concerning planning.

As we should all be aware, underage sting operations started in early May, with an expected 3,000 visits across the country.

Several times through this column I have expressed my views that the police and local authorities should do something about licensees who continually sell to underage kids.

They should close these businesses down and allow the rest of us to get on with trading, while making checks from time to time. I have personally challenged senior police officers to take action against such pubs and simply can't understand why they don't comply - it would help clean up the industry's act and perhaps even help remove some of the flash-points in the high streets on Fridays and Saturdays. The real issue highlighted to me recently by a Greene King Pub is that on a daily basis they are finding fraudulent ID, from passports and driving licences to fake ID cards purchased via the Internet. Targeting the pubs is one thing, but how do we educate the children?

If that's not enough to depress you, last week Mintel announced that drinking at home is on the rise, with a 16% increase since 2002. In my view one way to increase this is to insist on a blanket introduction of polycarbonate glasses.

The industry will take a pragmatic approach to this, whether in hot spots or high-volume businesses. Particularly in the high street, we should help by supplying these glasses, but we're talking about a small percentage of pubs. Leave the rest of the businesses alone to progress unaffected as they have been for years and years without any problems.

We've had enough of blanket restrictions that make it easier for local authorities, Government and police, but not for licensees and consumers. Give us a break!