ALMR boss 'hopeful' over mediation

The alternatives to the landmark mediation process failing are "too awful to contemplate", one trade leader has warned as the final round of meetings get underway.

Meetings will take place on Monday and Tuesday as top barrister Michel Kallipetis QC attempts to hammer out an agreement between the warring factions of the pub trade.

The aim is to reach an agreement between tenants and pubcos, which will negate the need for a full Competition Commission inquiry.

"This is where Michel Kallipetis will really earn his money," said Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish. "The beauty of mediation is that it is an agreed deal, not one handed down from the Government or a learned Judge.

"I am hopeful about it all. It makes sense and the alternatives are too awful to contemplate. A competition inquiry would be long and drawn out."

But Bish warned an agreement would not be straight forward. "Its all very well having nice words but we have to deliver an acceptable time frame for progress."

The Government is due to respond to the findings of the Business and Enterprise Committee in mid-October — as is the Office of Fair Trading to the Campaign for Real Ale's Super-Complaint.

"Both of those will have to take into consideration what has been agreed at the mediation and what can be achieved.

"This is an opportunity for a seismic shift in the way we all do business."

However, Fair Pint founding member Steve Corbett warned: "This is going to be a very difficult process and the likelihood of a satisfactory result is slim. Publicans, pubcos and breweries have divergent economic interests and whatever happens here, this will always remain the case.

"Unless the pubcos and brewers have a strong motivation to change, the mediation will be a waste of time and money. It's important to point out that the tenants have noting to lose but everything to gain."