Licensees show support for battling Crehan
Angry licensees rallied outside the High Court this week to support Bernie Crehan in his battle against former pub company Inntrepreneur.
The publicans - all former Inntrepreneur licensees - attended the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Tuesday (25 February) to show their support for Mr Crehan who is taking the company to court.
He is claiming he was ripped off by its restrictive tie agreement, which allowed the company to maximise rent prices while supplier Courage maximised beer prices.
The Inntrepreneur licensees are part of a group - represented by spokesperson Alan Temple - which is watching the six-week trial with interest. If Mr Crehan is successful, it will pave the way for another 140 or so publicans to follow suit.
John and Susan Pugh were at the court to show their support.
They told thePublican.com how they ran the Freemasons Arms in Sheffield for 13 years until they were thrown out because they could not afford to pay debts they had mounted up with the company.
Mr Pugh said: "Our rent was £75,000 and because of our tie with Courage we paid full price for our beers.
"We just couldn't afford to run the business and make any money.
"We're very bitter. If Bernie wins this case then we will be elated."
Jeff and Tricia Luke were also at the High Court. The couple ran the Crown in Harmondsworth near Heathrow for 12 years, but despite putting £60,000 into the business they say they didn't make a penny.
David Simpson, spokesman for Inntrepreneur, said: "We can't comment on individual cases but we believe we were in the right and the prices, which were agreed by contract, had to be paid by the lessees."
Pictured: Licensees rally behind Bernie Crehan at the High Court
Related articles:
Inntrepreneur licensees may be too late to follow Crehan's lead (20 February 2003)
Licensee's dispute with Inntrepreneur reaches High Court (13 February 2003)
