Examination of Witness (Question Numbers
158-159)
MRS KATE
NICHOLLS, MR
KARL HARRISON,
MR SIMON
CLARKE AND
MR GARRY
MALLEN
8 DECEMBER 2009
Q158 Chairman: Thank you for being so
patient. We are a little late coming to you but I think it was
important to take our time with the previous witnesses. Frankly,
there are further questions I would have liked to ask but there
is never enough time. Although I have not done so with the previous
witness because they were few in number, I ask you to begin by
introducing yourselves and your roles.
Mrs Nicholls: My name is Kate
Nicholls, head of communication at the Association of Licensed
Multiple Retailers and I also act as secretary to the newly-formed
Independent Pub Confederation. We are very pleased to be here
today to assist you in your deliberations. We have pulled together
a team of people who have not only direct operational experience
but are also intimately involved in all of the negotiations at
the RICS, in mediation and before this Committee. We are the people
who have had the dialogue on a day-to-day basis and hope to be
able to answer your questions fully and factually.
Q159 Chairman: I also ought to say
we are very pleased that you are here as a single group; it makes
our life a great deal easier.
Mr Harrison: I am Karl Harrison
and I am a publican with four pubs in London and the Home Counties.
One of them is a large comedy and music venue in Balham called
The Bedford which is one of the largest tenancies of Enterprise
Inns. I have two free of tie pubs in the centre of London and
one Mitchells & Butlers lease in Surrey. I am also a founding
member of the Fair Pint Campaign and I echo my colleague's comment.
We are very pleased to be here today on behalf of the IPC.
Mr Clarke: My name is Simon Clarke
and I am a publican and member of the RICS. You may recall that
in 2008 I made a presentation to this Committee. I have represented
Fair Pint at the mediation and attended the RICS forums. I spend
over 60 hours a week in my own pub, The Eagle Ale House, so you
could say that I am here to represent the frontline of the industry.
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