John backs better deal for local pubs
PUBS champion John Healey has backed a change that will bring in a fair deal for local pubs.
He voted for an amendment to the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill in the House of Commons yesterday that will allow tenant landlords tied to large pub companies to opt for a rental only deal. The amendment was approved by 284 votes to 269.
It means tied tenants will be able to buy beer on the open market, which CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) says can cost up to 70 per cent less than what pub companies charge.
Speaking in Parliament during the debate yesterday, Mr Healey said: “Tied tenants, such as those of the Monkwood tavern in Rawmarsh, The Crusty Pipe in Goldthorpe and The Bull’s Head in Cortonwood, simply want a fair basis on which to run their pubs as a business for them and their families.”
The vote win was a milestone in a years-long campaign by the Wentworth & Dearne MP – who was appointed Pubs Minister in 2010 – to get a better deal for PubCo tenants and keep more pubs open.
He added: “It’s a win for tied pub tenant landlords – now we’ve got to make sure ministers don’t go back on this.”
The amendment was supported by the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign, which consists of 10 leading national organisations, including CAMRA, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Forum for Private Business and licensee organisations.