CAMRA bids to shake off stale middle-age image
The Campaign for Real Ale has launched a diversity drive in a bid to lose its ‘male, pale and stale image’ and attract ethnic minorities, women and gay people as members.
For years the caricature of a typical member has been a bearded, slightly rotund middle-aged man but CAMRA is hoping to broaden its appeal and is asking members about their sexual orientation, ethnicity and whether they think the group is diverse enough.
Vice-chairman Abigail Newton said: “We want everyone to feel welcome and safe within CAMRA.
‘Real change’
“We need to review the effectiveness of our approach and policies regularly, in order to evaluate how we are doing and make improvements where needed.
“I’m incredibly proud to be involved in this review and want to encourage anyone – whether they are a CAMRA member or not – who has had an interaction with the Campaign to please share their views and experiences.
“It is only by having a say that real change can be made.”
The group recently criticised Chancellor Rishi Sunak over tax cuts designed to help the pub industry.
New cuts to beer duty offer a lower rate for beer and cider served from draught in order to encourage people to drink in and support local pubs and other licensed venues.
However, the tax break is only applicable for beer and cider served in containers of 40 litres and over, which excludes many of the country’s small and independent brewers.
