A new forum for the pub trade on the Isle of Wight will take a step closer next Friday.
Publicans, brewers and anyone else associated with the licensing trade is invited to attend a meeting at the Riverside Centre, at 09:30. This follows an initial meeting held on January 17th, organised by Island MP Andrew Turner and the Campaign for Real Ale’s John Nicholson — who is also an Isle of Wight councillor — where landlords, managers and brewers aired issues ranging from taxation on beer, business rates and the council’s attitude to noise levels and pub chains’ treatment of tied tenants.
That meeting was chaired by a local news editor, who is supporting the group along with marketing expert Tim Addison, of Solent.co. It is anticipated that as well as raising problems faced by all Island pubs, the new forum may consider joint marketing initiatives and other ways to increase trade.
Next Friday’s meeting will look at how a forum would work and put the wheels in motion. David Thornton, chief executive of Visit Isle of Wight, has also been invited to talk about opportunities for pubs in the Acoustic Island festival scheduled for March.
Mr Turner said:
“Pubs can be right at the hub of local communities, but many of them are facing very difficult times. The first meeting was to look at ways in which we can support local licensees. It was felt that a forum would be a useful development to give the licensed trade a stronger voice.
We obviously can’t solve all the national problems, but we can look at innovative ways for the Island’s pubs to work together to the benefit of all parties. I am looking forward to the meeting.”
Anyone working in, or associated with the licensed trade is welcome to attend, but for more information please contact Andrew Turner’s office on 01983 530808 or [email protected]
