IT could mark a refreshing change.

The growth in micro breweries which have come along and joined the larger enterprises producing an extensive range of quality craft beers and, of course, the decline in local pubs, may have contributed to CAMRA's decision to undertake the Revitalisation Project, a wholesale review into the purpose and strategy of its organisation.

Since its inception in 1971, the Campaign for Real Ale has, as its name suggests, been championing the promotion of real ale.

The consultation, involving its 177,000 members, will focus on who and what it should represent in future. A decision is expected in April next year.

Michael Hardman, one of CAMRA's founders, said: "This could mark a fundamental turning point for the Campaign for Real Ale. So fundamental, it may no longer continue as the Campaign for Real Ale and instead become a campaign for pubs, or a campaign for all drinkers.

"It's not up to us though. It's up to our members to tell us what they want the campaign to do in the future.

"CAMRA has sometimes been criticised for failing to move with the times, being old-fashioned and reactionary, and failing to embrace developments in the pub and beer industry such as craft beer. This is the chance for our members to tell us who we should represent in the future and what we should be campaigning for.

"Who do we represent now, and who should we represent in the future to help secure the best outcome for the brewing and pub industry? If we want to play a key part in driving the beer market back into growth and to help create a thriving pub sector, do we continue with our narrow focus, or should we become more inclusive?

"I've always been immensely proud to be a founding member of CAMRA. I'm just as proud to be able to return to head up the Revitalisation Project to ensure the organisation we launched in 1971 is relevant and effective for the next 45 years.

"When we founded the Campaign the most important thing was choice and combatting poor quality beer. Now our members need to tell us what is important to them. We need to hear from as many CAMRA members as possible to tell us what they think the organisation should look like in the future."

Responding to the news, Bradford publican and CAMRA member, William Wagstaff, welcomes the idea.

William, who runs The New Beehive and Jacob's Beer House in Bradford as well as Shakespeare's in Sheffield which are, fundamentally, real ale pubs, says he believes it is a good idea for CAMRA to 'broaden its base.'

He also believes that opening up to larger sections of the population would make it a more powerful organisation in the sense of attracting support.

William says he would also like to see real ale becoming more 'en vogue' with younger drinkers.

Pub heritage is something he believes the organisation needs to address considering the number of traditional pubs which have disappeared from our communities over the years.

William believes they should concentrate and keep on promoting those. "Keeping the heritage is important," he says.

"I think it is time for them to look into the future and to continue what they have done but to incorporate new ideas which are progressive and going forward."

Sean Garvey, who runs The Albion at Greengates, The New Inn in Denholme and Dirty Dick's ale house in Halifax, has been a CAMRA member for 10 years.

He says he sells fewer mainstream products in his Halifax pub and is moving more towards real ale.

"I sell over 2,000 different real ales in my three sites and I am looking to open three more sites in 2016-17 all real ale houses."

Sean says real ale drinkers love the variety. "The brewers are creating some wonderful beers, each brewer puts his twist on their ale. CAMRA members love new beers and trying them. Real Ale drinkers are more about the different beers than the stereotypical drinker."

But he believes the organisation should stick to what it knows, championing real ale and incorporating the craft market which, he explains, is still real ale.

Sean suggests if the organisation wants to campaign for pubs in general it could look at setting up a separate organisation but retain CAMRA as it is.

For more information about the Revitalisation Project visit camra.org.uk/revitalisation.