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Thread: Pubs Minister? (An interesting press release)

  1. #1
    Former Pubs Galore Coder
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    Default Pubs Minister? (An interesting press release)

    I got sent this article today: John Healey: Practical help served up for struggling pubs

    Lots of interesting stuff:

    Quote Originally Posted by press release
    Restrictions on sales which prevent premises continuing as pubs will be also banned.
    Quote Originally Posted by press release
    Government has thrown its weight behind the recent Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee Report to relax the "beer ties" - the rules that require tenant landlords to buy beer supplies only from pub companies or "pubcos". This will mean that landlords can buy locally sourced guest ales as well as their usual stock, to increase the range of choice for customers and support the local economy. If the industry does not fulfil its promise, Government will legislate to open up the market.

  2. #2
    This Space For Hire arwkrite's Avatar
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    Can you honestly see the pubcos willingly relinquishing control of their means of raising revenue ? Someones having a joke . As with all big business it takes laws to get them to do anything and then they employ lawyers and accountants to find loopholes.I cannot see me standing around for the time tied landlords have free and unfettered choice in what ales they sell, I may get very thirsty.

  3. #3
    Former Pubs Galore Coder
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    I think if pubco's do release control a bit it is because they see it as being beneficial to them. I don't see how letting a couple of guest ales through hurts their pub, and that is probably enough to avoid the Governments threats of legislation.

    I agree it is all hot air, but at least they are now concerned enough to start warming it up a bit.

    Edit: I should probably mention we have been contacted by one local council to get information about pubs in it's region, the information was for use in the aspect of adding community services to pubs, so I should give credit where credit is due, some are definitely looking at something.

  4. #4
    Old & Bitter oldboots's Avatar
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    A bit of cynical electioneering sums this crap up, Nu Labour seem to have realised pub users have a vote. After the election (if they get back in) they'll be back to their old tricks, raising beer tax above inflation, introducing more unnecessary regulation of pubs, ignoring supermarket pricing tactics, financing fake Neo-pro charities, wittering on about binge drinking and health risks with made up figures to "prove" their shoddy case.

    The other bunch of scumbags won't be any different - they're already moaning about "Broken Britain" blaming alcohol, and pandering to the worst excesses of Daily Mail readers. A bunch of scheming, lying, cheating, crooked, hypocritical, pusillanimous, dishonourable, disreputable, obnoxious, waste of space rubbish the lot of 'em.



    VOTE NIHILIST !

  5. #5
    Fully paid up beer belly Farway's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldboots View Post

    A bit of cynical electioneering sums this crap up, Nu Labour seem to have realised pub users have a vote. After the election (if they get back in) they'll be back to their old tricks, raising beer tax above inflation, introducing more unnecessary regulation of pubs, ignoring supermarket pricing tactics, financing fake Neo-pro charities, wittering on about binge drinking and health risks with made up figures to "prove" their shoddy case.

    The other bunch of scumbags won't be any different - they're already moaning about "Broken Britain" blaming alcohol, and pandering to the worst excesses of Daily Mail readers. A bunch of scheming, lying, cheating, crooked, hypocritical, pusillanimous, dishonourable, disreputable, obnoxious, waste of space rubbish the lot of 'em.



    VOTE NIHILIST !
    That's the spirit, I assume Gordon can't come round your house for a cuppa & chat then

  6. #6
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    Old and Bitter indeed.

    Whilst agreeing with every word you said I still like the noises the statement makes and it would be nice if they did some of them.

    Maybe it is time to form the Real Ale Party, the name alone would get my vote, I can't imagine they would make their policies much worse than the major parties.

  7. #7
    This Space For Hire arwkrite's Avatar
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    "A bunch of scheming, lying, cheating, crooked, hypocritical, pusillanimous, dishonourable, disreputable, obnoxious, waste of space rubbish the lot of 'em." to quote Oldboots

    Such poetry, such passion such Insight of Humanity. I just wish I knew that many adjectives with regards to politicians.

  8. #8
    Fully paid up beer belly Farway's Avatar
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    Smile A cautionary tale

    ...
    While walking down the street one day a "Member of Parliament" is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

    His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

    'Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter.. 'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you.'

    'No problem, just let me in,' says the man.

    'Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.'

    'Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the MP.

    'I'm sorry, but we have our rules.'

    And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the lift and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

    Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

    They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

    Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realises it, it is time to go.

    Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the lift rises....

    The lift goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

    'Now it's time to visit heaven.'

    So, 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realises it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

    'Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.'

    The MP reflects for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.'

    So St. Peter escorts him to the lift and he goes down, down, down to hell.

    Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

    He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the rubbish and putting it in black bags as more crap falls from above.

    The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. 'I don't understand,' stammers the MP. 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time.. Now there's just a wasteland full of rubbish & crud and my friends look miserable.

    What happened?'

    The devil looks at him, smiles and says, 'Yesterday we were campaigning... ...


    Today you voted.'

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by oldboots View Post

    A bit of cynical electioneering sums this crap up, Nu Labour seem to have realised pub users have a vote. After the election (if they get back in) they'll be back to their old tricks, raising beer tax above inflation, introducing more unnecessary regulation of pubs, ignoring supermarket pricing tactics, financing fake Neo-pro charities, wittering on about binge drinking and health risks with made up figures to "prove" their shoddy case.

    The other bunch of scumbags won't be any different - they're already moaning about "Broken Britain" blaming alcohol, and pandering to the worst excesses of Daily Mail readers. A bunch of scheming, lying, cheating, crooked, hypocritical, pusillanimous, dishonourable, disreputable, obnoxious, waste of space rubbish the lot of 'em.



    VOTE NIHILIST !
    What he said

  10. #10
    Old & Bitter oldboots's Avatar
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    I had a look at the super whizzy "12 point action plan" of "tough, practical measures" , for what it's worth here they are:

    • Give "Pub is the Hub" £300,000 a year for 3 years for some business advisors - (someone to tell pubs to become restaurants or shops or sell stamps).

    • Make a contribution (£3.3 million over 3 years) to the Plunkett Foundation to support up to 50 community pubs - (they'll have to find the full amount for this themselves of course; 50 pubs is less than a fortnights worth of closures).

    • Commission a (another) study into pub ownership and management and not only that but, hold another review into how well licensees know their business.

    • Ensure "Local Action Groups" are aware that pubs are a jolly good thing and tell them where they can get the forms to apply for a grant for rural pubs.

    • Maybe reform the live music provisions in the 2003 Licensing Act

    • Maybe regulate contracts between PubCos and their tenants - but not just yet we'll let them think about it. If they don't do it themselves we'll jolly well make sure they do by making them regulate themselves, so there!

    • Ask the PubCos if they wouldn't mind awfully relaxing the tie a bit please, maybe next year chaps?

    • Ask the PubCos to have Bruline* equipment properly calibrated (* measures all beer served to make sure the tenant isn't buying it elsewhere at half the PubCo price).

    • Review the way gaming machine licensing duty operates.

    • Write a letter to Local Authorities asking them to be especially nice to pubs who want to become restaurants please.

    • Give Planning Authorities time to think about if planning permission might be needed to demolish a pub.

    • Ask the Ministry of Justice if they wouldn't mind having a look at restrictive covenants.


    I'm sure you'll agree "tough, practical measures" indeed ! Our pubs are safe in their hands.

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