Following on from our guidelines, suppliers have had their say on whether it's a good idea. Now, independent merchants air their views.

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Hal Wilson, managing director, Cambridge Wine Merchants
“I would like to think suppliers who embrace the guidelines and publicly promote the scheme will be welcomed into independent merchants to show their wines and talk about their strategy.”

Ted Sandbach, managing director, Oxford Wine Co
“We are all hoping the major suppliers will want to sign up to these principles. As independents who play an increasingly influential role, we need to understand a company’s philosophy and be certain this is communicated to their staff.”
Julia Jenkins, director, Flagship Wines

“It should be an intrinsic part of the relationship between supplier and customer and, over time, become the norm.”
Ruth Yates, owner, Corks Out

“Many suppliers are supportive and offer their own time to help build their products through the indies. We try to offer support back.”
Dr Jeremy Howard, chief executive, Slurp.co.uk

“We continue to believe any guidelines are unnecessary. We have had never had an issue with a supplier we couldn’t resolve by picking up the phone.”
Stephen Finch, managing director, Vagabond Wines

“Keeping things at the level of publicly stated principles, rather than a prescriptively detailed charter, removes the need to monitor and enforce. Good job on that.”