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| Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers | |
|---|---|
| Name | Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers |
| Abbreviation | ALMR |
| Founded | 20th century |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Region served | United Kingdom |
| Membership | Multiple licensed retailers |
| Leader title | Chief Executive |
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers is a trade association representing companies that operate multiple licensed premises, primarily pubs, bars, and clubs in the United Kingdom. The body acts as an industry voice in regulatory, taxation, licensing, and public affairs debates, engaging with legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and trade unions. It liaises with hospitality sector stakeholders, national policymakers, and media organizations to shape frameworks affecting on-trade alcohol sales and venue operations.
The organisation emerged in the late 20th century amid consolidation across the British Isles hospitality sector, paralleling movements such as the rise of national chains like J D Wetherspoon, Mitchells & Butlers, Punch Taverns, and Enterprise Inns. Early activity intersected with campaigns around the Licensing Act 2003, debates in the House of Commons, and responses to public health initiatives linked to World Health Organization alcohol strategy. The association engaged with policy developments during the administrations of Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and David Cameron, and responded to market shocks including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom which prompted interactions with the Department for Business and Trade and relief schemes debated in the House of Lords.
The association is typically governed by a board comprising executives from member companies, with professional staff handling regulatory affairs, communications, and research. Membership ranges from publicly listed groups such as Greene King, Whitbread, and Taverners-style operators to private equity-owned portfolios and regional groups. It maintains liaison committees for licensing law, health and safety, and taxation, and often collaborates with organisations including British Beer and Pub Association, Night Time Industries Association, Federation of Small Businesses, and trade unions such as GMB (trade union) in sectoral negotiations. Relationships extend to advisory contacts at agencies like Health and Safety Executive and regulators such as UK Health Security Agency.
The association conducts policy analysis, publishes briefings and position papers, and provides legal and compliance guidance to members on matters like the Licensing Act 2003 and tax instruments administered by HM Revenue and Customs. It organizes conferences and training events featuring speakers from entities like Institute of Directors, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and regulators including Advertising Standards Authority. It coordinates industry responses to consultations from ministries such as the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care, and commissions market research comparable to studies by Office for National Statistics and Mintel.
Advocacy priorities commonly include calls for fair business rates treatment debated in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's budgets, opposition to minimum unit pricing measures championed in Scottish Parliament debates, and proposals for licensing flexibility during major events like Wembley Stadium fixtures and Glastonbury Festival. The association has submitted evidence to inquiries by parliamentary committees including the Select Committee on Health and Social Care and the Treasury Committee, and has campaigned alongside industry allies like British Hospitality Association on issues of workforce migration policies affecting staffing from sources such as the European Union and Commonwealth of Nations.
Members contribute to employment, tourism, and regional regeneration in areas represented in debates with local authorities such as Manchester City Council, Glasgow City Council, and Westminster City Council. The association highlights contributions to taxation revenues collected by HM Treasury and supports initiatives linked with tourism promotion bodies like VisitBritain and VisitScotland. Its economic reports reference data from the Office for Budget Responsibility and sector analyses by consultancies such as Deloitte and PwC when arguing for policy measures that affect capital investment and supply chains involving breweries like SABMiller (historic) and distributors such as Heineken International.
Critics have accused the association of prioritizing commercial interests over public health objectives advocated by organisations like Royal College of Physicians, Alcohol Change UK, and World Health Organization. Debates have arisen over its stance on measures such as minimum unit pricing advanced in the Scottish Parliament and regulatory responses to alcohol-related violence considered by the Metropolitan Police Service and local licensing boards. The association has also faced scrutiny during inquiries into corporate practices involving rent arrangements with pub landlords and the impact of consolidation highlighted in reports by Competition and Markets Authority.
British Beer and Pub Association Night Time Industries Association Licensing Act 2003 J D Wetherspoon Mitchells & Butlers Punch Taverns Greene King Whitbread HM Revenue and Customs HM Treasury Office for National Statistics House of Commons House of Lords Scottish Parliament Department for Business and Trade Department of Health and Social Care World Health Organization Royal College of Physicians Alcohol Change UK GMB (trade union)
Category:Trade associations based in the United Kingdom Category:Hospitality industry