The petition, calling for Cable to “act now to save Britain’s struggling pubs”, gained more than 42,000 signatures, after surpassing 30,000 in five days.
More than 100 campaigners, pub-goers and licensees gathered outside Parliament urging for an end to what anti-pubco campaigners call the “Great British Pub Scandal”.
The Government launched its consultation on a statutory code on the pubco-tenant relationship more than a year ago, but has so far failed to deliver its response.
'Absolutely vital'
CAMRA said it is essential that Cable “sticks to his guns” and makes an announcement in the next few weeks, to allow time for action before the General Election next year.
“It is absolutely vital that the Government disarms the ticking time bomb threatening the nation’s pubs,” CAMRA national chairman Colin Valentine said.
“CAMRA is demanding the introduction of a Pubs Watchdog to rule on disputes between licensees and pubcos, plus a guest beer right and a market rent only option for tied licensees. These measures are essential in order to create a level playing field for licensees, ensuring those tied to the large pubcos are no worse off than those that are free of tie.”
He added: “The reforms CAMRA are seeking will enable publicans tied to the large pub companies to make a decent living and invest in their business, protecting thousands of valued pubs and creating a thriving industry. The current model is weighted far too heavily in the favour of the pub company at the expense of the licensee and it is essential the Government acts now to redress the balance, before thousands more people lose their livelihood.”
CAMRA said it recently received a letter from Cable stating: “We intend very soon to publish the Government response to our pubs consultation and to announce the next steps”.