CAMRA National News

Parliament hears concerns over “independence” of new pubs dispute panel

Greg Mulholland MP (pictured right) today challenged Business Minister Ed Davey MP over the appointment of a surveyor employed on various cases by Punch Taverns as Chairman of a new pubs dispute panel. This new pubs dispute panel (PICAS) was formed as part of the self regulation deal between the Government and the pub companies last year and is an integral part of Ed Davey’s plan to curb the excesses of the large pub companies. Greg Mulholland MP said in Parliament: “The one seemingly hopeful part of the Government’s otherwise dreadful response on pub companies was the unfortunately named PICAS—the pub independent conciliation and arbitration service. However, hope soon faded when it was revealed that it was to be pubco-funded, and this week it has been announced that it will be chaired by a Punch Taverns surveyor. Does the Minister think that licensees will want to use that supposedly independent body?” Jonathan Mail, CAMRA’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs said: “A properly constituted and independent arbitration service would represent a big step forward in eliminating unfair business practices relating to the treatment of tied lessees by large pub companies. The success of this new pubs dispute panel however depends on its ability to guarantee impartiality and the best way of doing this would be to seek qualified arbitration experts without links to either large pub companies or individual lessees.”  

CAMRA toasts National Winter Ales Festival success

Last week’s Manchester festival smashes attendance record by almost 1,000 punters! CAMRA is delighted to announce that its National Winter Ales Festival, which took place last week at Manchester’s Sheridan Suite (January 18th-21st), surpassed all expectations and smashed its previous attendance record by almost 1,000 people! The Festival’s hard working volunteers experienced huge demand for the extensive range of winter beer styles at the bar, and with a confirmed attendance figure of 9,378 people, the event became the busiest Winter Ales Festival ever held in Manchester. Meanwhile, the CAMRA membership stand at the Festival signed up 200 new members, a sizeable increase on last year’s recruitment figure. Graham Donning, National Winter Ales Festival organiser, said: ‘We were delighted to see such a diverse mix of people coming through the doors to sample our range of winter warmers, and the outstanding attendance figure is a testament to the hard work of the volunteers organising the event. We are already kick-starting arrangements for next year’s event, and the success of this year gives us a fantastic platform for such preparations!’  In other news at the Festival, Driftwood brewery of St Agnes, Cornwall walked away from the event as Champion Winter Beer of Britain winners for ‘Alfie’s Revenge’, a 6.5% ABV old ale praised for its outstanding quality.

Boost for Live Music in Pubs

Pubs hoping to host live music received a boost last week after MPs gave the final green light to a Bill aimed at increasing small gigs. The Live Music Bill passed its Report Stage in the House of Commons on Friday and faces final amendments in the Lords - but is almost certain to become law. Under the change pubs will be allowed to host gigs attracting 200 people of fewer, without needing a separate condition on their licence. The Bill’s success is notable as it is a private members Bill - a type which rarely become law. It was first tabled by Lib Dem peer Lord Clement-Jones in July 2010 and recieved backing in the Commons from another Lib Dem, Don Foster. The government also backed the Bill as it fufils a Coalition commitment to cut red tape around small scale live music. Jonathan Mail, CAMRA’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “We are delighted by the success of this Bill and hope struggling pubs wanting to introduce live music will be encouraged to add an extra string to their bow.” “Pubs need to be able to specialise in this way to help them retain their place at the heart of local communities which they have successfully served for many generations.”  Contributed by James Wilmore.  

NEW VACANCY!- CAMRA HQ in search for Website & Social Media Officer

CAMRA is looking for a self-motivated and dynamic Website & Social Media Officer to manage the development and content of CAMRA’s new national website, which was launched this month. The organisation’s national website, e-marketing and social media activities play an important role in CAMRA’s communication to its 135,000 members and external parties. The successful candidate will have experience and skills in web content management, and will be responsible for producing e-marketing mail shots and other mailouts to CAMRA’s vast membership.  The successful candidate will also work with an external web development company to produce a new Volunteer Website in 2012 that will offer support and training to CAMRA’s volunteers. Social media is an important part of CAMRA’s Marketing Strategy and this position will be responsible for growing and maintaining CAMRA’s social media presence. The full Job Specification can be downloaded as a PDF via this link. To apply for this position please send CVs, covering letters and a completed Equal Opportunities Form to tony.jerome@camra.org.uk -  the closing date for entries in 1st February 2012.  

CAMRA holds Parliamentary reception for Conservative staff

The Real Ale was flowing this week as CAMRA hosted a reception in Parliament to raise support for our campaigns and voice the action needed from Government to save our pubs. A range of Real Ales were presented from East London Brewing Company, Hook Norton Brewery and Woodforde’s – there wasn’t a drop left in the house. CAMRA events always prove to be the most popular in Parliament and this event was no exception with over 100 researchers of Conservative and Lib Dem MPs in attendance. Researchers provide the gateway to MPs – they control the diary and filter the emails – and are therefore a vital target in order for CAMRA to join forces with the MPs needed to lobby government. CAMRA’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs Jonathan Mail spoke to ensure all guests were fully aware of the work of their hosts. He praised some of the pro-pub policies the Coalition has put forward to date but emphasised that work still needed to be done to curb the current closure rate of 14 pubs a week. Beer tax, large pubco regulation and the gap between on- and off-licence alcohol prices all need reforming, and events like this provide a small step towards achieving this.