Pubco giants say no to Fair Pint meeting

The UK's two biggest pub companies have strongly rejected campaign group Fair Pint's request to meet before the parliamentary showdown over pubco power.

Punch Taverns and Enterprise Inns have both turned down a written invitation to meet with Fair Pint representatives, prior to the follow-up to the 2004 Trade and Industry Select Committee (TISC) inquiry.

Fair Pint, which is aiming to end the beer tie for tenants, wrote last month to seven major pubcos asking to "discuss the issues" affecting the trade.

But both Enterprise and Punch have declined the offer, as well as Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE).

In a letter to Fair Pint, Ted Tuppen, chief executive of Enterprise Inns, said: "I have to ask myself whether a meeting with your steering group would add value to the debate and, given the positions seemingly adopted by those who appear to represent your campaign, I regret that I see little point."

Enterprise has also written to MP Timothy Farron, who is leading the charge against the pubcos in conjunction with Fair Pint. Tuppen said the company had expressed its "deep concern at the irresponsible, prejudiced and ill-informed nature of many of his (Farron's) pronouncements about pub companies".

Meanwhile, Punch Taverns corporate affairs director Nigel Turpin said: "We have always encouraged our licensees to speak with us directly on any issues they have. Therefore we do not see any benefit in meeting with them (Fair Pint) or conducting an open dialogue through the media."

The responses from Punch and Enterprise suggest the evidence sessions at the Business and Enterprise Select Committee inquiry - where a panel of MPs will look again at whether pubcos are adhering to the industry's codes of practice on leases - will be lively affairs.

The evidence sessions are expected to take place around November, with the panel due to report by Christmas.

Brian Jacobs, of Fair Pint's steering group, said it had received a "more encouraging" response from Marston's over the possibility of a meeting.

The group has yet to receive replies from Admiral Taverns, Greene King, Wellington and the British Beer & Pub Association.

However, Jacobs added that talks with the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) were progressing "quite well".

A spokesman for Fair Pint said it was "disappointed" with the responses so far from pubcos.

He added: "To suggest that the campaign is prejudiced and ill-informed is extraordinary, given the massive groundswell of support that we are receiving."

The deadline for submitting evidence to the follow-up inquiry is September 29, 2008. Evidence can be emailed to becom@parliament.uk ​