Update: mediation meeting 'constructive'

17-Jun-2009 - Last updated on 27-Aug-2011 at 05:59 GMT

BII chief executive Neil Robertson and Fair Pint's Karl Harrison outside the landmark mediation meeting

Today's crunch talks on the future of the pub industry are expected to be the first of many mediation meetings.

Pub trade chiefs engaged in today's crunch mediation talks on reform of the industry have given a broadly positive response to the meeting.

The MA understands that the meeting will be the first of many and they could be held on a monthly or even weekly basis.

The atmosphere inside is understood to have been civil, despite die-hard anti-pubco campaigners Fair Pint and Inez Ward's Justice for Licensees attending alongside Punch Taverns and other pubco representatives.

The committee met today in London to discuss how the industry can reform itself in response to the damning criticism included in the Business & Enterprise Committee report into pubcos. The aim is to find some middle ground between the opposing views.

The meeting, called by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, was chaired by barrister Jeremy Phillips at the Francis Taylor Building and lasted from 11am until 12.45pm.

Punch chief executive Giles Thorley did attend but was seen sprinting out the door at around 12.15pm.

As well as Fair Pint, Justice for Licensees and Punch, among those also present were the BII, the Campaign for Real Ale, the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations and the Guild of Master Victuallers.

Many of those who attended declined to comment on the meeting. Bill Sharp, executive member of Guild of Master Victuallers, said it was "very constructive".

Clive Davenport of the Federation of Small Businesses said: "I am happy with the process."

Robert Humphreys, All Party Parliamentary Beer Group secretary, said: "Now we've got to nurture the process."

Martin Rawlings, director of pubs and leisure at the BBPA said: "I'm making no comment at the moment. I've got a job to do, which is to take this back to my members."

Alistair Darby, managing director of Marston's Pub company, said: "No comment."

Francis Patton, former customer services director at Punch Taverns, now consultant at the firm, also said: "No comment."

Chair of the meeting Jeremy Phillips said: "This has been an encouraging initial meeting which addressed many historic problems in a constructive manner.

"Everybody present recognised the difficulties that we face, but saw the use of mediation as an entirely appropriate way to try to resolve industry issues 'in house'. I am looking forward to the next stage of the process."

The next meeting will be held on 9 July.

• Read Ewan Turney's take on proceedings — Opinion: upbeat vibe at landmark mediation meet

Mediation meet attendees

Giles Thorley, chief executive, Punch Taverns

Roger Whiteside, managing director, Punch Partnerships

Francis Patton, Punch Taverns

Martin Rawlings, BBPA

Tony Payne, chief executive, FLVA

Bill Sharp, GMV

Tim Sykes, chairman, ALMR

Nick Bish, chief executive ALMR

Robert Humphreys, Secretary, All Party Beer Group