Tenant fails in bid to seek debt waiver from Punch

Ron Piper, who worked at the Sir John Barleycorn in Hitchin for the past 11 years told the PMA the move will leave him homeless.

The publican had written to Punch chairman Stephen Billingham asking him to grant a waiver on the £23,000 debt incurred during his time as the Hertfordshire pub to allow him time to assess his financial situation.

On Friday Punch told the PMA its representatives had agreed to meet Piper. However, the move came too late to save him from eviction.

The publican appeared in court last Friday where the judged reduced money owing from rent arrears from £18,657.09 to £9,609.12.

Arrears of trade totalling £604.06 were dismissed and court fees of £4000 were reduced to £2500.00.

Homeless​

Piper said Punch would not renew the contract even if he settles the sum and now he, his daughter and granddaughter faced being made ‘homeless’.

“I feel Punch Taverns… does not allow a set off clause. Most times if you’re a residential person and you rent a house in which the heating breaks down, and the landlord says I’m not going to fix it, you can legally withhold rent. It’s different for commercial. Personally I’m devastated, hurt and angry. Three are three of us and this may well split the family up.”

Piper admitted he had withdrawn some rent until promised repair works were carried out and said he was looking at a possible counter-claim for the stress his dealings with Punch have caused him.

He took over the Sir John Barleycorn in 2003 and has since secured its listing as an asset of community value. He also ran the Peartree in Bassingbourn for a year but was evicted after disputes over the level of rent, which he claims was based on a refurbishment that never took place.

Piper was declared bankrupt in 2011 but the Sir John Barleycorn was transferred to a limited company under the control of his daughter.

Punch launched legal proceedings for eviction last year.

A spokeswoman for the company said: ““Representatives of the company are meeting with Mr Piper following his correspondence.”