Time for a united industry to act – fast

Those who urge our trade to work together and speak with one voice must have been heartened by the messages coming out from and in the trade press over the past week about the industry’s latest bête noir – licensing reform. From Tim Martin speaking at the M&C UK Retail Pub Summit to Paul Wigham writing in the Morning Advertiser, there is a clear consensus of opinion as to what these proposals would mean for business – and a demand to come together to fight them. These proposals represent an unprecedented threat to responsible businesses – not just to licensed businesses but to UK Plc. The removal of a fair legal framework – a genuine right of appeal and the requirement for decisions to be evidence based and justified – has far wider implications. If licences and livelihoods can be removed almost at a whim, the business model becomes vulnerable to unpredictable challenge. We are all agreed that these proposals are unnecessary, unjust and unaffordable. We are also agreed that they will have severe and unintended consequences. A broad brush approach affecting all outlets equally will have an inevitable impact on business risk, investor confidence and ultimately jobs and consumer choice. Agreeing between ourselves that ‘something must be done’, that these proposals must be resisted at all costs is a good first step – but it is nevertheless the easy part. Translating that into practical, dynamic action in a very short space of time will be much more challenging – but we can and must come together on this one. Those who call for industry unity and a single voice somewhat miss the point. What we need is not one voice but many voices with one unified message. What is needed – and urgently – is a single precise, pragmatic and politically-savvy message. But this must be a pure operator-led retail message and focus, not an industry one. In fact, I would go further. We have very little time to influence government thinking in this area – at most 60 days – and a difficult task ahead to divert ministers from their pre-conceived thinking. If we are to win hearts and minds then we need a new approach and a rapid response. To be effective, any unified attack needs a human face and be operator, not trade-body led. Look at the impact the CEOs had in the retail sector when they brought all their business clout to bear to the National Insurance campaign. Equally the supermarkets have been successful in defending their corner because they work together as a group of influential businessmen. That is not to downplay the efforts of the trade bodies, but their role is very different – technical and forensic. What is needed is an impassioned defence of our business interests. Only we as operators can deliver that and spark political and public interest in our concerns. Only we as operators can represent the interests of our shareholders, our employees and our customers in this debate. Only we as operators can move quickly enough to stop these proposals in their tracks. So the time for goodwill and warm words is over. The time for action is now. A small number of independent operators and businesses have already come together to fund and coordinate an expedited lobby of government, parliamentarians and a media, PR and consumer campaign. We have posted briefing documents and proposals for an operator-led initiative on the ALMR website so that everyone can get to work as soon as possible. So if you found yourself agreeing with the call to arms articulated across the trade press and at recent industry events, please get in touch with me to discuss how you can help turn righteous anger into direct action. Yes we need funds to campaign effectively but we also need practical action such as letters to local MPs, raising awareness amongst staff and customers. We need EVERY pub operator to join us, work with us and get the message out to as wide an audience as possible. Our businesses and livelihoods are too important to leave to other people to defend. One voice may sound seductive – one message, many voices will be more effective. Tim Sykes is chairman of Beds and Bars, and chairman of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers. Email tsykes@almr.org.uk or visit www.almr.org.uk