Trespass row ends between Punch and George Scott

The trespass row between host George Scott and Punch Taverns has ended, with the judge returning the lease into Scott's name.

Scott, licensee of the Eastcote Arms near Northampton for the past nine years, has been in dispute with the pubco over a name change. The name on the lease was that of a limited company Scott had been involved in that had subsequently been dissolved.

Scott maintains he informed Punch of the change when it happened.

Back in June a judge awarded Punch possession of the pub at Northampton County Court. But after an intervention from Roger Whiteside, the managing director of Punch's leased division, Scott was allowed to remain at the pub.

But the case returned to the courts last week, and Scott told the Morning Advertiser: "I got my lease back and will continue at the pub until 17 November at the earliest, when the case will be back in court."

The host still plans to pursue Punch in court claiming he is owed a six-figure sum because of "over-rentalisation, breach of promise on price commitment and duress". He said he plans to use the recent judgement on Brooker vs Unique.

Scott is not buying beer from Punch and has not paid rent since January when the dispute first arose.