TV licensee avoids rent hike of 140%

Punch has chosen not to inflict a planned 140% rent hike on a licensee who appeared on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares after a detailed examination of the accounts.

Brian Rey was told by his BRM that annual rent at the Fenwick Arms in Claughton, Lancashire, would increase from £16,000 to £38,000 five hours before the show was screened last November. The pub's turnover was £315,000 last year.

Don't take it lying down, talk to your pubco. They've listened to us and we've listened to them​Brian Rey.

This week, Rey was told his rent would be £25,000, rising to £30,000, then £35,000 over the following two years.

Rey also avoided having to pay inflated backdated charges from when the new rent level was due to be in place last August - saving him around £4,000.

Rey held meetings with Punch's regional operations director Mark Chapman and regional estates executive Andy Bowden.

They chose to pay for accountants Milestone to examine the pub's finances in detail. "When they'd gone through everything and seen what it was costing to run the place - the overheads are horrendous - and how much we ploughed into the place (£250,000) they adopted a different attitude," Rey said.

"It makes a change when you have a pub company that listens. I think it may have had something to do with the article on my TV appearance in the Morning Advertiser last October."

He advised licensees in similar situations to contact their pubco.

"Don't take it lying down, talk to your pubco. They've listened to us and we've listened to them."

A Punch spokesman said: "We are pleased that we have reached an amicable solution with Brian and we wish him the best for future success."

The Fenwick is still reaping the rewards of appearing with Ramsay - two people recently made the 500-mile round trip from Southampton to enjoy a roast there.