The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) as well as representatives
from the Independent Pub Confederation were among the organisations to meet with officials.
The meetings were organised after Business Secretary Vince Cable said the Government was not washing its hands of the self-regulation agreement over the pubco-tenant relationship.
The Government had given the trade a deadline of 23 November to prove that the pubco-tenant relationship self-regulation deal was working. The deal included a strengthened and legally binding industry framework code, the setting up of arbitration service PICA-Service and a Pubs Advisory Service (PAS).
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “It has been an opportunity for us to highlight to Vince Cable that we have achieved a great deal and continue to work to improve self-regulation in the sector.”
Nigel Williams, president of the FLVA, said he discussed his concerns with officials. He confirmed the organisation, which represents licensees, was still not ready to sign off on version six of the Industry Framework Code.
“We still have some issues and we are not ready to sign," he said.
Strategic affairs director at the ALMR, Kate Nicholls said: “It still needs some work and is still a work in progress.”
Peter Thomas, CEO of the BII, said: “We’re pushing the BBPA to get some movement on the framework agreement. Let’s finish it and move on. We’re ready to set up the advisory service.”
Meanwhile, a Pubs Advisory Service has written to PICA-Service asking it to clarify that the organisation can act on behalf of tenants’ own codes. A group of tenants have put together their own code detailing how the relationship between pubcos and tenants should work.