CAN we take this opportunity to thank York drinkers, licensees, CAMRA members and Lib Dem delegates for making the Fair Deal For Your Local event at The Rook and Gaskill last Saturday such a resounding success.

It showed that there was a real groundswell of support from all sections of society for the aims of the organisation to introduce a statutory code of practice for large pub companies.

The pub is a quintessentially British jewel that needs legislation to ensure it has a sustainable future.

Fair Deal For York Local wants to ensure that pub licencees of large PubCo’s are allowed to earn a wage commensurate with their success, pay market rent only (free of tie option) and have guest beer options at a fair market price.

This would significantly reduce pub closures, give the public better choice and thriving local microbreweries an additional market to sell into.

It was very apposite that the Liberal Democrat Conference in York had earlier in the day adopted a motion for this legislation as party policy in one of the best cities for real ale and great free houses in the UK.

Greg Mulholland MP, National Coordinator, Fair Deal For Your Local, Nick Love, York CAMRA.