Punch to welcome protesters at HQ

Punch Taverns will welcome any of its lessees attending the protest outside its HQ next week in for a coffee and a chat.

Frustrated licensees are planning a protest march to highlight the plight of tenants outside the headquarters of Britain's two biggest pubcos — Punch Taverns and Enterprise Inns on 26 January.

The protest will bring together members of several licensee groups including Justice for Licensees, Fair Pint, Save the Great British Pub, Freedom For Pubs Association, Freedom2Choose and Colm Powell — the licensee who went on hunger strike in a coffin at his pub.

It is believed that music mogul Vince Power, who helped fund the Fair Pint campaign, is also involved — he is providing a mobile bar for the day to demonstrate the difference between tied pub prices and free-of-tie prices.

Protest organiser Inez Ward has invited Punch chief executive Giles Thorley and Enterprises chief executive Ted Tuppen and chief operating officer Simon Townsend to attend the protest.

"If the protest goes ahead and if there are any Punch customers outside in the cold protesting peacefully, then we will invite them inside for a coffee and a chat," said Punch head of customer services Nigel Turpin. "Any Punch licensee will be welcomed."

Ward, Enterprise lessee at Mavericks in Newquay, Cornwall, said: "Punch Taverns have agreed to meet any of their customers on a one-to-one basis on the day to hear their specific issues. We feel that this is a step in the right direction and applaud the stance taken."

Over 100 licensees are expected to attend.

No-one from Enterprise Inns was available for comment at the current time.