IPC: One voice for all

When the Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) arose from the ashes of the industry's failed mediation process, the initial reaction in many quarters was "great, another trade group, another acronym, just what we need".

Surely one thing this fragmented sector did not need was another group trying to speak to government on behalf of the industry.

Knowing who is saying what from the likes of the BBPA, BII, ALMR, FLVA, GMV, GMB and CAMRA is hard enough for those in the trade. And this lack of a coherent voice is one reason why successive governments have been able to bat away our suggestions and problems.

However, Kate Nicholls, the IPC's secretary, believes that as an umbrella group representing many bodies the IPC could make the difference.

"The aim of IPC is to be the voice of publicans," she said. "To my mind that is the area where there is a real gap and it is where the message doesn't get across as effectively as it could do because there isn't anybody truly standing up and speaking on behalf of publicans. There is a lot of emotion and a lot of personal experience but it doesn't get presented in the way that politicians need to hear it."

But this does not mean the other acronyms should be disbanded, added Nicholls, who is also the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers' (ALMR) head of communications.

"There has undoubtedly been a need for greater unity, but I don't actually support the idea of one trade body, which is why the IPC creation works because it's an umbrella and people sit underneath it and talk together," she said.

Clear. OK? And to be fair the IPC does represent a wide range of views, from the hardline anti-tie brigade of Fair Pint, the real ale lovers at CAMRA, and licensees and operators with the likes of the Guild of Master Victuallers and, indeed, the ALMR. The BII is listed as a supporter rather than a full member.

With so many groups and egos involved, surely it must be hard to come to a consensus of opinion? Nicholls laughs off suggestions she has to play the role of headmistress to a class of troublesome schoolboys.

"It's fairly amicable. Having gone through the mediation process has forged a very strong link," she said.

"It really isn't that difficult. If one organisation says 'we can't do that, it is too far for my members', we just debate it rationally. There's no banging heads together, it's natural dialogue."

The BBPA bust-up

One group that does not feature as a member, however, and is never likely to, is the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

No consensus on how to best address the pubco/ licensee conflict, specifically over the beer tie, could be reached through

mediation. Much arguing followed and Nicholls admits that relations between IPC member groups and the BBPA have been at something of an all-time low.

But while her phone has "not been red-hot" with calls from the BBPA, the parties have recently met and icy relations could be thawing.

"I think it will take time for fractured relationships to heal," she explained, "but there is great willingness on the side of the IPC to start the dialogue, either collectively with the BBPA or the IFBB [that acronym is the Independent Family Brewers of Britain, in case you were wondering], or with individual companies. There's a lot that we can do and offer and it's just convincing them of that and getting them to work with us."

One area she is keen to get involved in is the BBPA's framework code of practice.

All BBPA members must have their codes accredited by the BII this summer, but Nicholls thinks it would send out a stronger message if the codes receive the thumbs-up from the IPC too.

"There is an issue of trust," she said. "BII accreditation is something they have to get but it isn't going to win hearts and minds. I would really welcome the opportunity of talking to them before they publish.

"It would really demonstrate that the industry is getting its act together and is being grown-up about it.

"They don't have to do it but it would be a sensible thing to do."

The industry has now been given a year to get its house in order before again facing the possible threat of government intervention.

And Nicholls is confident the latest Business, Innovations and Skills committee report into the industry, and the support it received from pubs minister John Healey, will improve licensees' lot. "Things feel very different and I hope there is a realisation across all sides of the debate that something has to change," she said.

"The big difference is the lessee bodies are more organised, so you know you are not going to shut Fair Pint up, or CAMRA, unless something is delivered."

And ultimately Nicholls hopes that when the tensions between tenants and pubcos ease, the IPC, along with the likes of the BBPA, could lobby on issues that affect everyone. "The

IPC will be a success when we are talking about taxes, red tape and costs," she says.

"We have been able to do this so far with the resources we have got on this one issue, so how much better might we be able to get the industry's message across on supermarkets, the crime and disorder agenda and the demonisation of pubs?

"We might actually be able to be the voice that makes a difference on those issues as well." Watch this space...

The Independent Pub Confederation Members

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), CAMRA, Fair Pint, Federation of Small Businesses, Guild of Master Victuallers, Justice for Licensees, Unite the Union and the Society of Independent Brewers.