Christopher J. Lovatt

Can the rural pub survive? a challenge for management or a lost cause

Examines the development and changing environment of the public house sector. Studies reasons for the general decline in trade with particular reference to the state of rural pubs. Considers some strategies for ameliorating the problems faced. Highlights the considerable challenge to management and argues that the role of local and national government is crucial, suggesting that they need to have more proactive policies in place.

The impact of employment legislation on micro businesses: A case study from the licensed trade

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the extent to which public house licensees conform with employment legislation.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines legislation within the hospitality industry. Five aspects of the legislation were selected and a case study approach was used with a sample of micro business licensees.Findings – The results show that those licensees who manage outlets on behalf of the large pub‐owning companies had a far greater knowledge of the legislation than independent respondents who, in some instances, appeared to flout the legislation deliberately.Practical implications – The independent sector of the licensed trade appears to lack vital information about employment legislation, and licensees might not realise the consequences of ignorance or deliberate non‐compliance. Those involved in running this type of micro business need to establish more effective sources of information on such issues.Originality/value – This paper offers a clear indication to all involved ...

Sex discrimination in the licensed trade: a study of the differing attitudes to legal matters.

In recent years, the licensed trade in the UK has had to adapt to changing trends in leisure and, simultaneously, cope with major structural change and management reorganisation. Within this context there is an increase in government regulation of the employment world both to full‐time and to other employees. This has extended to enhanced protection of peripheral workers as a current EU priority and the issue of directives. The article outlines the principal changes in the trade and the modern management trends. From there, it proceeds to analyse the impact of some key aspects of the law relating to sex discrimination and its observance by the managers/tenants of public houses. This is limited to the recruitment of staff but touches on sexual harassment and the rights of peripheral workers. An examination of the literature is undertaken and a comparison between the findings from this and the empirical research from a case study is made, exploring the differences between the attitudes of differing categories of licensee. Managers are more compliant with the spirit of the law than tenants and lessees. The consequences of non‐compliance with the law are stressed.

Creating a profession: suggestions for the licensed trade

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study some of the business and legal problems experienced by the licensed trade and to explore the need for greater control for entry to the industry.Design/methodology/approach – The approach taken has been to use an overview of the function of professional and trade bodies together with a detailed analysis relevant to the licensed trade.Findings – The findings are that the dangers of anti‐social behaviour resulting from alcohol consumption, coupled with the activities of some licensees, suggest that a more professional group of licensees could benefit employees and consumers.Research limitations/implications – The research is limited by being desk‐based.Originality/value – The extra demands to gain a licence could be unpopular but, if the proposals led to fewer examples of business failure, a greater proficiency in dealing with customers and a greater awareness of the dangers of alcohol, then it would be of real benefit to the public. Is a Licence to Trade the w...

Women customers in pubs: still a business opportunity

Purpose – The aim of this paper was to outline the changes in the 20th century public house, where the simultaneous development of pub products and facilities and a changing environment have encouraged a growth of the female customer.Design/methodology/approach – There has been a heavy use of secondary sources drawn from the whole of the period studied. This has been augmented by discussions with licensees, retired licensees and older pub customers, to collect their reflections on the industry.Findings – The public house of 60 years ago had a largely male, working class beer drinking clientele. Over the years, it has become accessible to women and children, the hungry and those seeking entertainment. These changes have been effected by the owners, introducing new products and altering the premises, licensees seeking to attract trade, government legislation and external factors. This paper attempts to identify the changes and their causes, with particular reference to the female customer.Research limitatio...

The UK licensed trade: Making the case for a professional body and career framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the need for the creation of a professional body whose membership would be essential for those wishing to hold a licence for the retailing of alcohol in the UK.Design/methodology/approach – The Home Office and similar sources are employed to establish the problems of alcohol abuse. Trade information is utilised to consider the attitude of various stakeholders to this issue. Ethical texts examine expected responses from the sector. From these authoritative sources a solution has been proposed.Findings – The results led to the proposal that the establishment of a compulsory professional body be considered.Research limitations/implications – There is a lack of empirical research to investigate the proposal. This would be necessary to progress the idea.Practical implications – The proposal for a professional body whose membership would be compulsory for a licence‐holder would be the subject of a major policy debate.Originality/value – This embryonic propos...

The emergence of the female licensee in UK public houses

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to reveal the absence of female licensees in the UK pub trade up to the late 1980s, and to show how this changed as a result of the reorganisation of the industry which occurred due to the Beer Acts. In order to achieve this, an historical approach has been adopted, using mainly contemporary sources. It is suggested that the reasons for the recent appointment of female licensees is the need for increased profits.

Let the auctioneer/manager beware

Analyses the law covering the role of the management of auction sales and the implications they bring. Explores the legal obligations of the parties to an auction sale with specific reference to the newly defined liability of the managers of the auction where articles or property are sold “without reserve”. Concludes that it is now clear that if an auctioneer refuses to sell to the highest bidder then he will incur liability to the bidder. States that this could have dire consequences. Examines existing case law and new precedent materials to draw such conclusions and provides some recommendations.