CAMRA appeals OFT report: industry comments
The trade reacts to the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) announcement that it will issue a legal challenge against the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) report that ruled out action on the beer tie.
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA)
"CAMRA obviously has the right to appeal against the findings of the OFT. The BBPA feels however it is time to move on and is working hard on the Industry Code, guidance for its implementation and, with our members, on how their individual company codes work for tenants and lessees to create greater transparency and improve the opportunities for business success."
Independent Pub Confederation secretary Kate Nicholls
"I think this is very welcome news. There were an awful lot of elements (within the OFT"s report) which, to our minds, didn't investigate the market properly.
"It is quite right and proper that CAMRA should issue this appeal. Arguably the OFT's repponse to CAMRA's super-complaint was not appropriate, and didn't give the matter the attention it deserved.
"We think the time is now right for Government to intervene and ensure there is a fair and legal framework within the pub market. We welcome this as a first step."
Steve Corbett, Fair Pint spokesman
"The OFT Report was a weak analysis and now there's pressure on them to do the right thing and investigate the market fairly."
Clive Davenport, chairman of the trade and Industry policy unit at the Federation of Small Businesses
"We welcome this decision by CAMRA and will do all we can to support them in their efforts by raising awareness of the challenge with our 215,000 members"
Greg Mulholland MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group
"At the time of the super-complaint I said all along that I didn't think the OFT were a suitable organisation to deal with such a complex issue.
"They proved me right by completely mis-handling the whole affair and entirely missing the point of the complaint.
"The Save the Pub Group whole heartedly supports CAMRA in their legal bid and I would encourage all pub goers to show their support so that we can finally get a fair deal for landlords, tenants and customers."
