Michael Mullaney backs move to change the law to protect publicans

Hinckley and Bosworth Councillor and Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman Michael Mullaney is backing a move to change the law to give publicans renting from the giant pub chains a fairer deal.

He wants a new clause written into the Small Business Bill which would stop large pub companies charging hugely inflated prices and excessive rents to their tenants.

The clause, promoted by the campaign group, Fair Deal for Your Local, would mean publicans tied by companies which own more than 500 pubs across the country could opt for a rental only deal. This would allow them to buy beer on the open market at prices up to 70 per cent below what pub companies force them to pay.

"This is such an important issue," said Michael. "Our pubs are failing and closing down because publicans are being held to ransom by the big pubcos. They are charged excessive rents and high beer prices which leaves some effectively being paid less than the minimum wage.

"Changing the law gives our local pubs a fighting chance. It stops large companies taking advantage and puts the tied licensee on a fairer playing field with the free of tied licensee.

"In Hinckley and Bosworth, we have lost so many pubs in the last 10 years. These are not just vitally important businesses employing people but they are integral parts of our community and once they are lost they are often gone forever.

"I am supporting the Fair Deal for Your Local amendment to this Bill because I feel so strongly about this issue. Our current MP David Tredinnick has not yet committed to supporting this important campaign I urge him to support it as the campaign has backing from MPs of all parties.

The new clause to the Small Business Bill shows that the market rent only option is a simple, cheap to administer and market based solution that would simply give licensees the choice as to whether to pay a fair rent only or stick with a tied agreement. This choice would force the large pub companies to ensure that their tied agreements - where tenants pay marked up prices for beer and other products and services - are competitive, fair and attractive to tenants.

It would only apply to the large pub companies and not the small family-run breweries.

The Fair Deal for Your Local campaign is backed by 10 organisations, including CAMRA, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Forum for Private Business, trade unions and licensees organisations.

The amendment will be voted on this Tuesday

More information on the campaign and the MPs supporting it can be found at http://www.fairdealforyourlocal.com/mp-supporters/