Shepherd Neame calls time on 67-year old

Shepherd Neame is refusing to back down on plans to push a 67-year old licensee from his pub, despite fierce opposition from 3,000 locals.

Eddie Dunford has been a tenant at the Black Horse in Battle, East Sussex, for more than 35 years, but has been told to leave by landlord Shepherd Neame.

Although the official retirement age is 65, Mr Dunford is keen to stay on until he is 70 - backed by 3,000 of his customers who have signed a petition to keep him in.

Shepherd Neame refused to accept the hand-delivered petition last week.

But the support has not swayed the company and he is now expected to call time in three months.

Mr Dunford said: "The government is encouraging people to stay on in work until they are 70 so I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed to. I took over from my father and know the business very well. I feel confident I can do this job for another three years."

Customer John Shepperd helped organise the petition and is disappointed by the way the situation seems to have been handled.

"He is a fantastic advocate for the traditional English pub and would be a massive loss to the trade," said Mr Shepperd. "I work in the health service and if I wanted to work until I was 70 it would be encouraged, I don't know why it would be any different in the pub trade."

Mike Benner, chief executive at Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) added: "Given the strength of feeling in the community it would be good if Shepherd Neame could listen."

But Shepherd Neame claims business at the Black Horse has declined.

A company spokesman said: "We have given Mr Dunford two one-year extensions to his tenancy, over and above his retirement age. But now it really is time to move on."