LTC: 'we need pubco help'

The big pub companies have been challenged to dig deep to boost the Licensed Trade Charity's (LTC) fund-raising, after a charity chief described their financial support as "laughable".

LTC appeals chairman Maureen Batty claimed the pubcos had a moral duty to support the industry's main charity, but rarely offered to help out.

"Support from the trade and drinks companies is very patchy," she told the LTC conference. "When we ask for help we tend to get the same excuses from these companies.

"Companies say they support their own charities or their budgets are already committed, no matter what time of year we approach them," she complained.

Delegates heard that many of the people now needing help were the very licensees who had worked in the trade helping the big companies build up their vast profits. She added: "We have got to tell them they have a moral responsibility - the people we are helping are licensees and often their own employees. It's payback time now and we are looking to the pubcos to help us."

Only two companies, Scottish & Newcastle and Punch, were named for their support for the LTC.

S&N annually donates £10,000 while Punch is sponsoring the charity's volunteers programme with a £12,000 cheque. Welfare grants handed out by the Licensed Trade Charity have hit the magic £1m mark, national chairman Anita Adams revealed.

The total grant aid sum of £1.1m is an increase of 17% over last year, highlighting the increased demands placed on the charity. The merger two years ago between the Society of Licensed Victuallers and the Licensed Victuallers National Homes significantly increased the number of beneficiaries the charity could support, delegates heard.

The charity's consolidated accounts for the year ending 31 December 2006 show a £300,000 operating loss over the year before investment gains and losses.

This compares with a £900,000 loss over the previous 12 months, reflecting the progress made since the charity implemented its new strategic plan, national chairman Anita Adams said.

LTC annual finances

The gap between fund-raising income and growth in payments to beneficiaries grew by £150,000 over the year. But this was offset by an increase in the value of investments and an increase in surpluses generated by the LTC schools.

A number of rental properties were sold, which meant income fell by some £300,000 but the value of the charity's investments increased by £1.2m. A total of £391,000 was raised over the year by a variety of different events and donations from trade bodies. This included a grant of £166,000 from the Licensed Trade Charities' Trust.

LTC regional committees, ladies' auxiliaries and LVAs raised an additional £41,204.