Welcome Message

Welcome to The Guild Of Master Victualler's website. It is an innovation to help The Guild reach its members.

If you were to ask the head of any membership organization what their biggest problem was, they would not hesitate in saying “communication with the members“.

Communication has to be two way and it has to identify the needs of the membership. For many years the task was much easier because of the good attendances at Licensed Victualler's Associations (LVAs). But with the changes in the trade following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission Report and all day opening, fewer members were able to attend meetings with greater reliance being placed upon the Officers of The Guild to take care of their interests.

It is one thing representing members` interests but it is another letting all of them know that you are doing it. This was achieved through The Guild News. Now conveniently integrated on to our website, it gives members instant access to news and information whenever they need it, and provides fast and effective communication with those in the best position to assist where members have a problem requiring urgent attention.

There is not an organization in the country that has not suffered from a fall-off of membership, from the biggest trade unions to the small horticultural societies. But The Guild has been able to remain viable by LVAs throughout the country affiliating to it. It has no territorial boundaries and it has increased its geographical area from which to draw its membership. It extends across the counties in the south which includes Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and Dorset, and now extends up as far as the Midlands. There is strength in numbers.

It was noted that during the transition from the previous system of dealing with magistrates to that of dealing with local authorities there was a marked increase in attendance at LVAs. The Guild`s Officers were on hand to advise and guide members through the maze of paper-work. But despite the Government`s view that the change would bring with it greater simplicity, less cost and less red tape it has not proved to be the case.

The 2003 Licensing Act did not live up to the Government`s prediction but it did show that the worst fears of licensees were soon realized. We were told that the local authorities would be singing off the same hymn sheet, something that is foreign to their nature, but old habits die hard and it was not long before they were putting their own interpretation on the National Guidance. Far from being over, one of the biggest challenges faced today and in the future will be dealing week to week, day to day with the Licensing Authorities.

CEO John Madden