Time To Investigate The OFT?

15 Oct 2010

IF A FALL OF 25% IN ALCOHOL SALES IN PUBS SINCE 2002 AND DAILY CLOSURES OF PUBS DOES NOT CONCERN THE OFT MAYBE IT IS TIME TO INVESTIGATE THE OFT ITSELF SAYS GMB.

Beer sales alone are down by nearly 6 million pint per day as drinkers desert pubs in droves because of the artificially high prices.

GMB the union for pub tied tenants commented on the OFT report dealing with the CAMRA complaint on tied tenancies.

Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary said ” The OFT have concluded yet again that what consumers in every village and town knows about overcharging in pubs is nothing to do with them. If a fall of 25% in alcohol sales in pubs since 2002 and daily closures of pubs does not concern the OFT maybe it is time to investigate the OFT itself. Beer sales alone are down by nearly 6 million pint per day as drinkers desert pubs in droves because of the artificially high prices.

An OFT conclusion that the Pubcos can go to hell in a handcart as artificially high prices closes local pubs that survived the blitz is not shared by GMB. We will carry on the campaign against artificially high rents to pay offshore bondholders that is the root of the problem. We will have community support against the vested interests that have prevailed again at an OFT not doing it job to protect consumers.”