Punch lessee case goes to full trial

George Scott, licensee at the Eastcote Arms in Towcester, Northmptonshire is fighting a case for forfeiture against Punch over a sum of money for unpaid rent and beer sales. He is being supported by the GMB.

The dispute dates back to a rent review in 2005, which was agreed at £38,000 but subsequently appealed by Scott.

Punch is seeking to take posession of the pub over £42,000 it claims is owed in arrears.

The case has been hailed as a “landmark” victory by the trade union GMB but Punch sees it as simply a stage in the process.

The case will now go to a full trial hearing. Costs of around £3,000 were awarded against Punch.

“I am determined to press on to see this matter with Punch settled in a way that I get justice,” said Scott. “This whole dispute has caused severe disruption in my life when all I wanted to do was to make a living.

“I am very grateful to GMB for the support they have given me.”

Punch declined to comment as the legal process is still ongoing.

In 2009, Scott won a complex trespassing case against Punch, after the pubco had attempted to regain posession of the pub because the name on the lease was that of a dissolved limited company rather than Scott.