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VIDEO – Plea to support our struggling pubs
A CROMFORD landlord is on a mission to assist struggling pubs and educate people on why the industry needs support.
David Mountford, landlord of The Boat Inn, has recently become secretary of the GMB’s Matlock branch.
In his new role David will promote the values of the workforce union but he is also using his experience to assist landlords of ‘tied pubs’ – which are establishments owned by pub companies.
David said: “With all the experience I’ve had in tackling the pub companies, I can use my knowledge to help landlords who are in need.
“I just want to offer as much help as I can.”
As a former tenant of a tied pub, David who used to run The Rising Sun at Middleton, has just taken over Cromford’s Boat, which is a free house.
David, said: “I’m also meeting the people who use pubs on a daily basis to explain why a lot of pubs are failing.
“What people will see when they read the newspapers is that so many pubs are shutting because of red tape and government taxation. While those facts are true, tied pubs have to pay extremely high prices for beer and many simply cannot survive on the profits they make.”
David is encouraging pub users to actively ‘spread the word’ of the assistance landlords can get from the GMB.
However, he has also spent time lobbying MP’s in Derbyshire to raise the issue in government.
David explained how the government has made numerous enquiries into pub companies and Business Minister Ed Davey has already told the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee that the tied pubco model doesn’t seem to be working.
David said: “The government doesn’t seem to do anything about it, though, that’s why I’ve written to Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins and Derbyshire Dales MP Patrick McLoughlin asking them to raise the issue with government.”
For more information of the GMB contact 07794 021212.
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Weather for Bakewell
Saturday 25 May 2013
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Temperature: 6 C to 16 C
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