45 companies back ALMR's campaign

A total of 45 companies have thrown their support behind a major "direct action" campaign to halt proposed changes to the Licensing Act.

They have signed a letter that will go to seven key Cabinet ministers protesting about the proposed changes to the Act.

The campaign, which was drawn together last week by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), has already won support from Mitchells & Butlers, Orchid, JD Wetherspoon, Barracuda, Charles Wells and Punch.

Chief executive Nick Bish said: "Signatories are fully representative of the energetic and passionate people in the industry today."

ALMR chairman Tim Sykes has argued that "concerted action was needed right now" by operators. He described the Licensing Act reforms as having "no consensus of support" and based on "no real evidence of a problem".

He said: "There is very, very little time to get things done. This is a serious matter and needs a serious response. We'd like operators to recruit other supporters."

The ALMR has a £30,000 fighting fund to begin an intensive lobbying campaign through public-relations firm Bell Pottinger. "What is needed is an impassioned defence of our business interests," Sykes added.

The British Beer & Pub Association, which met with Home Office officials last week to discuss the changes in the latest in a series of six meetings, has also written to the Government. "The momentum behind taking our message to Government, MPs and other key stakeholders is building, but there is more that must be done," said chief executive Brigid Simmonds.

"The next critical phase will be providing companies and licensees with the lobby materials they need to take a coordinated and concerted message to all MPs as they return to Westminster following the conference season."

Peasants' revolt​

Meanwhile, a number of licensees have responded to the Morning Advertiser​'s call for a "peasants' revolt" by contacting their local MP to organise a face-to-face meeting. BII Licensees of the Year Richard and Loren Pope, of the Bull's Head, Repton, met with their Conservative MP Heather Wheeler to express their "grave concerns". Wheeler used to run a pub company with her husband.

Janet Dooner, of the Railway Tavern Hotel in Stratford, London, wrote to her MP, Lyn Brown, voicing concern. Brown has in turn written to Home Office minister James Brokenshire. Robert Feal-Martinez, of the Carpenters Arms in South Marston, Wiltshire, has also been in touch with Conservative MP Justin Tomlinson.

Have you contacted your MP about the proposed changes? Email yrfyrl.sbbggvg@jvyyvnz-errq.pb.hx​.