MP calls for end to pub supermarket sales
Staunch anti-pubco MP Greg Mulholland has written to Punch boss Giles Thorley calling for an end to the practice of selling off pubs to supermarkets.
However, Punch said that just four of its 7,500 pubs are being eyed for conversion to supermarkets, "all of which have been on the open market for some considerable time".
The case of pub sales to supermarkets hit the headlines this week as Punch decided to re-open the Sara Siddons pub in Warwick rather than sell off to Tesco following a sustained campaign from residents.
However, campaigners are still fighting to save the Walnut Tree in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire from being sold off as a Tesco Metro store (Punch pub saved from Tesco — another fights on).
Pubs are attractive to supermarkets because they are already licensed to sell food and drink and so do not require a change of use application.
"Pubcos have been very vocal recently in their criticism of supermarkets' alcohol pricing policy.
"It seems hypocritical, therefore, that Punch is seemingly willing to consider offers from companies such as Tesco to buy up existing pubs and replace them with metro stores.
"I have written to Mr Thorley to express my concern and to request that he rethinks this strategy.
"More needs to be done to recognise the importance of pubs to the communities they serve, selling pubs to supermarkets in this way sends a dangerous message about the future of the pub trade in Great Britain."
Punch said yesterday: "We are a pub operator and remain committed to working in partnership with our licensees to build sustainable businesses. When we identify any pub for sale it is always our primary intention to sell it as a pub to a new licensee.
"However, as with any operator, we will always consider any reasonable approaches from interested parties, especially in cases where pubs have been on the open market for some time without any interest from potential licensees.
"The reality is that, out of a total estate of 7,500 pubs, we are only talking about four sites, all of which have been on the open market for some considerable time."
