MP welcomes action to protect local pubs

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has expressed his delight at today's announcement of the introduction of a statutory code of practice which will protect publicans from unfair treatment by large pub companies.

The announcement today from Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, the Rt Hon Vince Cable MP, comes following a review of the self regulatory solution that the Government brought forward in November 2011. The review found that self regulation was not as far reaching as they would have liked and did not appear to have created the culture change that is needed.

Tim is a founder member of the All Party Save the Pub Group and has been campaigning hard on this issue for a number of years. Tim has been calling for pub companies to be brought to book if they treat hard working publicans in an unfair way. Research done recently by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) shows that two pubs are closing every day. A number of pubs in South Lakeland have closed due to pub tenants being pushed into dire financial circumstances by their pub company. The new statutory code will prevent pub companies abusing their position and charging their tenants inflated prices for drinks and gaming machines.

Tim said:"In many villages throughout Cumbria the pub is the hub of community life. Many of them have struggled in the last few years because of high duty and lots of red tape. This announcement is incredibly welcome and good news for Cumbrian publicans and patrons.

"I am delighted that Vince Cable and the Government have now decided that a statutory code of practice is needed. This will at last enshrine in law the principle that the tied licensee is not worse off than the free of tie licensee. This is great news for pubs, pubco publicans and customers and is huge boost in terms of the Coalition Government delivering the promise to be a pro-pub Government."