Tuppen writes to MPs defending pubco model and slams campaigners
Enterprise Inns chief Ted Tuppen has today launched a fresh attack on campaign group Fair Pint, and fiercely defended the pubco model, in a letter sent to every MP in Parliament.
The detailed letter comes just a day before Enterprise announces its interim results and two days before the long-awaited MP-led report on pubco power is released.
Read Tuppen's letter 'Pub companies and their role in the pub trade'.
In the letter, Tuppen says he trying to get some balance in the debate while hoping MPs will understand the other side of the argument "and at least challenge some of the wilder claims made by those who I believe are damaging the whole industry in pursuit of their own self interest".
The pubco boss says he is becoming "increasingly concerned" with the activities of groups such as Fair Pint and "some others".
"Their behaviour is in danger of creating misunderstandings about the pub industry as a whole and the generally very positive interaction between producers, pub owners, licensees and consumers," he says.
"Such misunderstandings then divert attention from the real issues that require urgent action now to avoid increasing business failures, job losses and falling tax revenues."
He points out the tied model offers a "low cost of entry" for licensees, "supported by the expertise and resources of a larger company".
He admits there will "always be stresses" which will inevitably be exacerbated in tough times, but it is in the company's interest to see licensees succeed.
Tuppen also dismisses figures referred to by MP John Pugh in a parliamentary debate last month, based on date from trade union GMB, as "simply untrue".
A briefing paper setting out precisely how Enterprise's model works has also been included with the letter. Read the full Enterprise Media Brief .
