BBPA Midlands stalwart steps down after 35 years in the pub trade

Before leaving Matthews, who is 65, administered his latest Midlands Executive Committee meeting at Leicester’s Everards Brewery when members paid tributes to his work.

He joined the BBPA in 2003 after previously being Midlands Editor of the then Morning Advertiser and previously Midlands and Wales correspondent for the Licensee - the National Licensed Victuallers Association’s house journal.

Highlights​

Matthews said that one of the highlights if his career was working as a director of the Nottingham Leisure Business Improvement District, which was the first and only BID in the country to encompass solely licensed outlets.

He was also a member of the Better Business for All initiative in Leicestershire and worked closely with the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) in producing a new Code of Practice for Regulatory Delivery on Age-Restricted Products and Services. He also addressed Pubwatch groups and licensing forums on a regular basis.

He said the second consecutive beer duty cut was a real coup for the trade.

“The Government is now displaying clear signs of supporting the trade, driving more economic activity in the sector and it is vital that the work continues in the regions to head off threats like the Late-Night Levy and Early Morning Restriction Orders”, he said.

Outstanding​

Giles Kendall, current BBPA Midlands Chairman, said: “Richard was an outstanding Midlands BBPA Secretary, combining an unrivalled, wide-ranging knowledge across the industry with a quiet and dignified way of getting things done and the charm to keep everyone positive and working towards the same goals. These skills made his support incredibly valuable to myself and various individuals who have held the post of Midlands Chairman and he’ll be sadly missed. I wish him all the very best in his retirement and hope that his beloved Kidderminster Harriers gain promotion this season.”

BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds said: “Richard will be very much missed, not just be our team at the BBPA, but by many others involved in the trade across the Midlands. We all wish him the best for the future.”