Tentative steps towards a better industry

So Lord Mandelson can have a nice, relaxing summer break without having to fret over whether or not to refer the pub industry to the Competition Commission.

I suspect last week's pronouncement from the Business & Enterprise Select Committee (BEC) - officially recommending the government delays a decision on whether to refer the sector until after the summer - will be seen in Burton Upon Trent and Solihull as a victory.

It would appear members of the committee have been swayed, perhaps even impressed, by the moves certain pubcos have made in recent weeks. It's easy to take the view that the reforms now being proposed were a direct consequence of the threat of BEC report-related censure. Or perhaps some pubcos were more 'forceful' in presenting their case than others. Who knows?

On top of Punch's own plans for improving the relationship twixt landlord and tenant, proposals from Enterprise Inns outlining amendments to its own lease agreements suggested ground was being given.

Enterprise was at pains to point out that much of what it published last week was already in place in one form or another, but still, I suspect its plans did not go far enough for some.

Whether the BEC committee's recommendation now bursts the bubble of the likes of Fair Pint remains to be seen. I doubt it will.

While the pubcos will claim they were planning these reforms all along, the anti-pubco lobby will stake a claim for having gotten them to move as far as they did. But - and yes I know, I've said this umpteen times before - if we get the right sort of industry, one that is equitable and delivers returns to all stakeholders, who gives a monkey's who made the first move?

A prosperous pub industry has to be based on fairness between all parties. It looks like the first steps are being taken…