BII celebrates 25th anniversary and looks to the future
09-May-2006
BII, the professional body for the licensed retail sector, today urged its members to start preparing for the smoking ban rather than attempting to fight the legislation. Richard Pearson, BII Chairman; Steve Howe, Director of Membership, and Cathie Smith, Director of BIIAB addressed an audience of over a thousand key members of the industry at the BII 25th Anniversary Annual Luncheon held today in London.
Richard Pearson, BII Chairman, said, “We need to start positively preparing for the smoking ban. We need to concentrate on building businesses not talking about doom and gloom. We need to remind the public about what our members’ establishments have to offer. Pubs are the centre of many communities, offering food, accommodation, entertainment, and a place to meet and celebrate.
He added, “We will be preparing advisory helplines and, as with licensing reform, we will be taking BII across the country advising members. We will seek to ensure that all Bll members prepare for the smoking legislation professionally and positively.
Mr Pearson concluded, “The message today is a simple one; there is so much we can be proud of in the last twenty five years and there is so much more we can achieve to continue make a real difference to the lives and businesses of thousands of members.”
Cathie Smith, Director of BllAB, spoke of the achievements of the awarding body, how highly qualified the sector is now and how widely accepted BlIAB is as the awarding body for the licensed retail sector.
She said, “The licensed trade has a workforce that is professional, socially responsible and, more importantly perhaps, qualified to do the job. Some important developments have underpinned this, not only through legislation, but also through the ever growing demand from the industry for top quality training leading to nationally recognised qualifications. BIIAB has responded with schemes that are fit for purpose to meet your needs. The most recent development, the BIIAB National Certificate for Designated Premises Supervisors, will be available through centres in June.”
Speaking of membership growth, Steve Howe, Bll Director of Membership said, “One aspect of our membership base is the growing numbers of new members who come from sections of the industry beyond the traditional pub sector. With numbers of members in hotels, restaurants, clubs and shops, as well as door supervisors, on the increase, we are truly beginning to represent the full licensed retail trade. These are new and exciting markets to us and we will be looking to build on our initial successes in these areas.”
Notes to Editors:
Full text of speeches available on request.
| melanie@bii.org | |
| Contact | Melanie Taylor, Corporate Communications Manager 01276 417863/ 07795 394660 |
