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The new minister John Healey on the right (photo: Morning Advertiser)

The news is that the British government has decided to create a new ministry, the Ministry for Pubs. No joke. Parliamentarian John Healey was appointed as first representative of this office, which, of course, seeks to preserve and support traditional Anglo-Saxons breweries. This may sound crazy to Italians, but in English society, so historically linked to public houses, is perfectly understandable. Needless to say, such an innovation opens up unimaginable prospects for the pubs and the craft beer.

First of all the reasons that prompted the government to create this new ministry is the attempt to reverse the negative trend that characterizes the sector. As explained in different occasions on the Italian version of this blog, the UK pubs are facing a terrible trend, considering an average of 36 closed activity each week. Very important from this point of view is the work done in recent times by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale, the association for the protection of traditional Anglo-Saxon ales ) and BBPA (representing the British pubs and beer).

Among the first statements by the new minister, also reported by Jay Brooks:

Pubs are often at the heart of community life. And they are important meeting places for many people. While we can’t stop every pub from closing it’s right we do everything possible to back them. But they need help now so I am determined to have a deal on the table with a package of practical help in the next few weeks.

Obviously there have been reactions by the sector’s association, such as the BBPA, which has expressed its satisfaction for the appointment of John Healey and for obtaining a strategic location in the government agenda for the “pub issue”.

Last Friday Roger Protz on his blog has published the government’s new 12 point Action Plan for pubs. Among them:

• Greater protection for pubs under threat of demolition.
• A ban on the anti-competitive practice of imposing restrictive covenants on the sale of pubs.
• Greater flexibility for pubs to diversify by adding shops and other facilities without planning permission.
• A £1 million government funding for Pub is the Hub, the group led by Prince Charles to protect the community role of pubs.
• A £3 million to support community pub ownership.
• Greater freedom for pubs to host live music without a specific licence.

CAMRA expressed its definite stand towards this intervention in the enthusiastic words of Mike Benner:

The proposals have the potential to totally transform the UK pubs market, leading to a free, fair and competitive market where consumers will benefit through greater choice, improved amenities and lower prices.

More cautious words from the SIBA (the association of independent breweries), which nonetheless expresses satisfaction through the statements of Julian Grocock:

This will open up more routes to market for SIBA members. We are disappointed, however, that there is no mention of addressing the imbalance between beer prices in the on and off trades. In most pubs — and certainly where local, craft ales are sold — drinking is part of a social occasion rather than an end in itself. We’d therefore like to see more done to encourage drinkers in to the socially responsible environment of the pub, rather than the supermarket or off-licence, where alcohol is bought cheaply for consumption in parks and other uncontrolled places.

Beyond the more or less warm statements this is undoubtedly a fundamental change for pubs and craft beer in the United Kingdom. After months of reporting prohibitionist ideas generated by the new Anglo-Saxon culture, this is a news in complete contrast, which foretell rosy hopes for the future. Hard to say if this will be a real revolution as stated by CAMRA, but we can already point out how the socializing aspect of the pub is re-evaluated. And this is without doubt the best of it all.