New trade body 'to rival BII and FLVA'

A new trade body run by licensees for licensees hopes to get off the ground in the next six months.

The group, provisionally called the National Licensees Association, believes current trade bodies, the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) and Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA), have failed front-line members.

The new body is the brainchild of former Freedom To Choose spokesman Robert Feal-Martinez - the group pushing for a judicial review of the smoking ban.

"I think the BII and FLVA have been misguided in believing that if they embrace big organisations like the pubcos, Sky and to a certain extent the Government, they can influence them. But it is clear they are showing weakness by doing that," he said.

"You only have to look at two major changes in recent years - licensing and the smoking ban - to see how much licensees have been let down."

The group's aims would be two-fold - to lobby the Government, local authorities and pubcos, while providing them with access to trade experts on issues like rent reviews, energy suppliers and property-related matters and two-week induction courses for newcomers. Proposed membership fees are a one-off payment of £50 followed by an annual fee of £25.

Feal-Martinez, licensee of the Carpenters Arms in Swindon, Wiltshire, confirmed policies would be decided by the membership itself - even if they were contrary to his own views on the smoking ban. An executive committee would also be chosen by the membership.

"We want people to let us know if there is a need for this body. If in six months we have significant interest, we will go ahead." To register, email e.srny-znegvarm@ogpbaarpg.pbz​ or phone 07967 102812.

FLVA: we don't let members down

Tony Payne, FLVA's chief executive responds to Robert Feal-Martinez's move

"I don't think Mr Feal-Martinez can comment on what the FLVA does for its members because he is not a member.

Our members decide our policies and we are not in the pocket of the Government or pubcos - and never have been. We fought the smoking ban all the way. We campaigned hard to make sure that members' clubs were included in the end. But when legislation is passed we must advise members to abide by it. We also secured changes to the Licensing Act.

For an annual fee of £120 - which is £1.62 a week - we provide advice on all new legislation, training documents, contracts of employment advice seven days a week and free tribunals for members. It is wholly unfair to say we have let members down. There is nowhere else you could get the service we provide for such a cheap price."

The BII said it did not wish to comment.