Anti-beer tie campaigners Fair Pint met with Business Secretary Lord Peter Mandelson yesterday to discuss the Government's proposals for reform of the tie.
Mandelson met with Fair Pint members Mark Dodds, Steve Corbett and Nicky Francey to get their views on Pubs Minister John Healey's proposals to help pubs.
Under Healey's plan, pubcos will be forced to offer a free of tie option and a guest beer right for tied tenants by June 2011.
"It was a great meeting and very constructive," said Fair Pint founding member Corbett.
"It was good to spend some time talking to him and he listened intently and digested what we had to say.
"Hopefully we will meet again in a week or two to pick up discussions further."
Inez Ward, of the Justice for Licensees group, welcomed the news. "It is highly encouraging to see that high profile MP's and Lords are taking an interest in this trade, for far too long there has been a lack of clarity and transparency. There is a new dawn emerging and it should be embraced with open arms."
The Government officially gave its full backing to the Business Skills and Innovation Committee report recommendations yesterday.