Kheng targets licensing reform with online petition
The boss of a Lincolnshire bar group is urging licensees to write to MPs over the proposed changes to the Licensing Act.
Kurnia director Michael Kheng has set up an online campaign outlining his views on all of the 13 proposed changes to raise awareness of the issues. There is also a link to a list of MPs to contact.
Kheng is particularly concerned about doubling the fine for underage sales to £20,000 and branded it "headline grabbing". He thinks that the offenders should be fined.
His other key concerns with the proposed changes are the late night levy and the fact the below cost ban in supermarkets has been delayed.
Kheng explained that industry associations need the backing of independent licensees to lobby the changes, and used the smoking ban as an example of when people did not do enough early on to make a difference.
Kurnia received the Pub Company Award at the Morning Advertiser's Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards last month.
Kheng said: "Everytime something like this happens, people shout but don't do anything about it.
"It's going to be upon us before we know it, so people need to contact their local MPs before it's too late. The MPs are the ones that will be voting yes or no, and if they get the facts from their consituencies, then I think it will make a difference.
"I realise it's a busy time of year, but people need to write to their MPs as soon as possible because the act has already gone through the second reading, so we need quick action."
