Enterprise: only 5% think we're bad

Over half of Enterprise lessees rate their relationship with the pubco as "good", according to a survey carried out by its regional managers.

Enterprise boss Ted Tuppen has also offered to meet the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, chaired by vociferous anti-pubco MP Greg Mulholland.

The pubco carried out the survey in response to the CGA survey for the Business and Enterprise Committee (BEC), which showed that 67% earned less than £15,000 a year and that 64% felt their pubco did not add any value.

Tuppen said the company had spoken to "virtually all" its licensees with 95% agreeing to answer questions.

A total of 52% of licensees rated their relationship with Enterprise Inns as "good", a further 31% as "OK" and only 5% said that they had a "bad" relationship with the company.

"The survey is a precursor to a more formal, independent survey to be carried out over the next few months," said Tuppen.

"Clearly, an in house survey does not carry the same weight as an independent review, but we will provide the full set of responses, on a pub by pub basis, so that the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) can validate the answers should they so wish."

He added: "We are very concerned with the findings of the BEC report into pub companies and will prepare a detailed response for Lord Mandelson and the BERR in due course.

"In the meantime, we will continue to work positively with our licensees to ensure that our business relationships with them continue to be fair, transparent and mutually beneficial in these difficult economic times."

However, one source voiced concerns to the Morning Advertiser: "While I have a good relationship with my BDM, I am certain others would not feel comfortable with answering questions regarding Enterprise directly to them. This is far from an independent survey and as such is verging on meaningless."