'Super-Complaint' prompts OFT probe into pub market

24th July 2009, 2:40pm

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has today exercised its 'super-complaint' power to require the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to fast-track consideration of practices in the UK pub market which are resulting in high prices in pubs, lower amenity, restricted choice and pub closures.

CAMRA's 'super-complaint', 'A Fair Share for the Consumer', highlights that high rents and 'tied' beer prices are driving many good pub landlords out of business and contributing to the destruction of Britain's pubs through pub closures and chronic under investment in pub facilities.

Figures out this week show that more than seven pubs close every day. 

Mike Benner, chief executive, said something needs to be done: "Exploitation of 'beer tie' agreements and the unfair method of setting pub rents are harming consumers and society as a whole. It is enshrined in EU law that consumers must get a fair share of the benefits arising from exclusive purchasing deals such as the 'beer tie', but this is often not the case. 

"We hope that the OFT will act to deliver a fair share for Britain's 14 million regular pub goers. Reform of the 'beer tie' along with a framework of support from Government is urgently required to save the pub from extinction."

The OFT said in a statement: "The OFT is currently considering the issues raised in the super-complaint, in order to establish whether any feature, or combination of features, in a relevant market is or appears to be significantly harming the interests of consumers. The OFT will publish a response within 90 days."

Related Articles:

• 14 Oct 2010 - CAMRA calls the OFT 'blinkered' as beer tie problems are dismissed
• 08 Feb 2010 - OFT opens consultation on CAMRA'S beer tie
• 22 Oct 2009 - Office of Fair Trading gives beer ties the all-clear
• 05 Aug 2009 - 55% of all drinkers support lower strength beer option in pubs
• 29 Jul 2009 - Opposition to mandatory alcohol code is growing
• 28 Jul 2009 - CAMRA launches petition to save historic pub
• 27 Jul 2009 - Solving pub industry problems must be sustainable
• 24 Jul 2009 - Beer ties and the Office of Fair Trading
• 13 May 2009 - MPs call for inquiry into 'beer tie' activity
• 26 Sep 2008 - FSB calls for beer ties to be scrapped

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