FLVA calls on GMV to join meetings over the pubco-tenant deal

30-May-2012 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2017 at 21:39 GMT

The Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) has called for the Guild of Master Victuallers (GMV) to engage in meetings aimed at solving problems in the pubco-tenant relationship.

Nigel Williams, president of the FLVA, issued the call after GMV member and chairman of the Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) Bill Sharp said that it was “ridiculous” the bodies still operated separately.

Sharp also accused the FLVA of being in alliance with the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) and British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) over the self-regulation deal concerning the pubco-tenant relationship.

The deal involves the setting up of the Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service and a strengthening of the code of practice.

However, Williams said: “We would again reissue our previously private invitation to the GMV to become part of the solution and work alongside us in seeking an improved code of practice.”

He defended claims that the trade association is in alliance with other organisations working on the deal.

“The FLVA has long taken the view that we need to negotiate with the BBPA and engage within the whole governance process to achieve the best position for individual publicans,” he said.

“Our current discussions with the BBPA would be considerably assisted by the GMV input into this process as we remain the sole organisation representing publicans. We would welcome the additional weight of support from another publican representative body to optimise the outcomes for individual publicans from the current process.”

Williams said the FLVA was always happy to talk to the GMV, but admitted it had rejected an approach to join the IPC.

He said the whole focus of the organisation has been on achieving a more equitable beer tie.

He added: “We respect the views of others relating to the free-of-tie position, but we do not share those views and prefer to work on more practical objectives.”

Sharp responded claiming the issue is not just about the self-regulation deal.

He said: “We could be joined together representing pubs across the country. We have long believed it’s not just about the code of practice, but representing the views of publicans.”