A free of tie pub world could lead to more business failures, Marston's Pub Company boss Alastair Darby has warned.
Speaking to the Morning Advertiser as part of his guest editorship, Darby said he was not convinced such a world would ever be created.
If it was, he warned that pubcos would cut back on support. "The likelihood is there would be more business failures," he said.
"You only have to to look at the high street where people are renting from commercial landlords to see the failure rate there."
He added: "What I think it would do is present the big brewers with the opportunity to build margin and therefore I am not convinced it would be a better place."
Read this Thursday's Morning Advertiser for Darby's view on the pubco inquiry, Fair Pint, the beer tie and what steps Marston's is taking to improve relations with its tenants.
