Union inundated with calls from distressed licensees
Trade union Unite and Inez Ward's Justice for Licensees have been contacted by 117 licensees facing eviction in the last four weeks.
Ward: campaigning for fellow tenants
The groups, who are working closely together, have been contacted by tenants who are either in the process of being evicted or facing imminent eviction.
The two, who attended the pub trade mediation meeting two weeks ago, are due to meet newly appointed minister for further education, skills, apprenticeships and consumer affairs. Kevin Brennan shortly to discuss the deepening crisis.
"It is heartbreaking to see so many licensees having their lives destroyed, and I’m getting angrier everyday as most of these evictions could have been avoided," said Inez Ward, lessee at Mavericks in Newquay and also subject to an eviction order.
"Yes people are starting to listen, but we need urgent action if we are to save the industry before it is irrevocably damaged.”
Unite's Jennie Formby added: “Our members cannot afford to wait long for a solution. We are fully committed to the mediation process and to working with all stakeholders in the industry to find a way forward.
“But our members are desperate. As our latest evidence shows, for far too many it is already too late to save their pubs and their livelihoods. We all must do everything within our power to stop the decimation of the pub trade.”
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