Greene King to drop High Court costs claim

Greene King is to withdraw its High Court appeal to gain costs from a group of local residents who opposed the opening hours at one of its pubs.

The dispute - over extended hours at the Dog and Partridge pub in Bury St Edmonds - has been ongoing for 22 months.

Greene King had been pushing to recoup its legal costs after it won its case over extended hours but was not awarded costs.

We have taken the decision to prevent wasting the time and resource of all those involved and to spare the individuals from going through a High Court hearing​Greene King Local Pubs managing director Jonathan Lawson

Now the parties have agreed to resolve the issue out of court.

Greene King Local Pubs managing director Jonathan Lawson said: "We have taken the decision to abandon our appeal to prevent wasting the time and resource of all those involved and to spare the individuals from going through a High Court hearing.​

"It was never our intention to make life difficult for them, or to take anything more than token costs: our aim was simply to challenge what we regarded as an unjust decision by the Magistrates."

One of the four pensioners Simon Harding said: "We are pleased with Greene King's decision. It is in nobody's interest to continue down the legal pathway: we just want to make sure our voices are heard and our concerns taken seriously.​

"We actually have nothing against the company and are looking forward to a meaningful dialogue with their representatives"