Pubco heavyweights Hugh Osmond of Punch Group and Tim Martin of JD Wetherspoon are trading blows over the future of licensing reform.
Martin has savaged what he calls the failures and lack of leadership of trade organisations such as the AMLR and the BLRA and the big pub owners and big brewers in failing to fight to government's licensing reform proposals.
In his latest polemic, Martin called the acceptance by the industry's big names of the White Paper plans for a radical shake-up of drinks licensing "the greatest betrayal of the licensing trade in its history". Martin, who wants to see reforms based on the present system of magistrates controlling the issuing of licenses, says the licensing White Paper is "a shambles", with its proposals for a system of licensing contgrolled by local authorities.
However, Osmond, who was among those attacked by Martin, called the Wetherspoon chief's campaign "utterly self-serving". Osmond said that Martin's opposition to the proposed reforms was because "he is simply worried that licensing reforms may slow the breakneck pace of his new openings, leading to a savage downrating of his shares. Mind you, in his shoes I would be worried too."
Echoing a point made by M&C Report Online last week ( ), Osmond said: "It is particularly ironic that Tim Martin, of all people, [should present himself as] the champion of the small licensee. Many licensees consistently state that the number one threat to their livelihoods is the arrival of a vast new Wetherspoon's barn selling cheap beer in an area already amply supplied with pubs."
Osmond said he agreed "absolutely" with Tim Martin that the government's plans to transfer licensing control to local authorities were flawed. However, he said, "we can't just unpick the government's package, take what we want and leave the rest. That's just not on offer."
In the absence of better proposals, Osmond said, "we should stick with the BLRA's line" and back the White Paper."
Martin, who had accused Osmond, Guy Hands of Nomura and other big pubco bosses of being "out of touch with their tenants and leasees on the issue of licensing reform", said it was "astonishing" to see trade associations complying with the proposed "massive upheaval", when the best parts of the White Paper could be "extremely easily accommodated using he existing system."
Martin has savaged what he calls the failures and lack of leadership of trade organisations such as the AMLR and the BLRA and the big pub owners and big brewers in failing to fight to government's licensing reform proposals.
In his latest polemic, Martin called the acceptance by the industry's big names of the White Paper plans for a radical shake-up of drinks licensing "the greatest betrayal of the licensing trade in its history". Martin, who wants to see reforms based on the present system of magistrates controlling the issuing of licenses, says the licensing White Paper is "a shambles", with its proposals for a system of licensing contgrolled by local authorities.
However, Osmond, who was among those attacked by Martin, called the Wetherspoon chief's campaign "utterly self-serving". Osmond said that Martin's opposition to the proposed reforms was because "he is simply worried that licensing reforms may slow the breakneck pace of his new openings, leading to a savage downrating of his shares. Mind you, in his shoes I would be worried too."
Echoing a point made by M&C Report Online last week ( ), Osmond said: "It is particularly ironic that Tim Martin, of all people, [should present himself as] the champion of the small licensee. Many licensees consistently state that the number one threat to their livelihoods is the arrival of a vast new Wetherspoon's barn selling cheap beer in an area already amply supplied with pubs."
Osmond said he agreed "absolutely" with Tim Martin that the government's plans to transfer licensing control to local authorities were flawed. However, he said, "we can't just unpick the government's package, take what we want and leave the rest. That's just not on offer."
In the absence of better proposals, Osmond said, "we should stick with the BLRA's line" and back the White Paper."
Martin, who had accused Osmond, Guy Hands of Nomura and other big pubco bosses of being "out of touch with their tenants and leasees on the issue of licensing reform", said it was "astonishing" to see trade associations complying with the proposed "massive upheaval", when the best parts of the White Paper could be "extremely easily accommodated using he existing system."
