Enterprise: dialogue better than protest
Enterprise chief operating officer Simon Townsend said he would be "very disappointed" if any of its lessees attend a planned protest without first consulting the pubco over their concerns.
Over 100 lessees are expected to attend a protest outside Enterprise HQ in Solihull and Punch's HQ in Burton on 26 January.
The licensees, led by Enterprise lessee Inez Ward of Mavericks in Newquay, believe they are paying too much rent and too much for their beer.
"Our regional managers are available to discuss individual licensees' concerns at any time — that is after all their job — and provide all manner of support, including financial assistance if they deem it appropriate," said Townsend.
"I would be very disappointed, therefore, if it transpired that any Enterprise licensees had opted to join this demonstration without first having pursued every conceivable avenue of dialogue with their regional manager.
"I would urge any licensee who wished to raise their concerns with us to contact their regional manager directly."
He added: "We have been informed of the planned demonstration, but I have not been made aware of the identities of any specific Enterprise licensees who are attending, with the exception of the organiser Mrs Ward. I have made it clear to Mrs Ward that I don't believe that this is the most productive, or effective, way of conducting business relationships."
Punch said that it would invite any of its lessees at the protest in for a "coffee and a chat".
