Licensee outrage at property agent's methods to encourage publicans to sell pubs

Claire Alexander of the Ebrington Arms in Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire, said that the letter she received was “a very shameful marketing ploy”.

She explained that it differed from letters from other property agents because it said “so many [pubs] are being converted into convenience stores”.

The letter from Altius Group noted: “Pub properties remain popular with buyers for the lifestyle opportunities they offer and are also becoming increasingly popular for buyers considering redevelopment and alternative use projects.”

Alexander, who also runs the Killingworth Castle in Wootton, Oxfordshire, contacted Altius Group about the letter. “I am utterly disgusted that you are canvassing pubs to try and inspire landlords to sell their beloved businesses because ‘so many are being converted into convenience stores’, she wrote.

“I run two successful freehold pubs and, along with most of the other landlords in the country am working exceedingly hard to save our Great British Pub.

“The fact that you are actively canvassing pubs to further ruin our great British pub heritage is a very shameful marketing ploy indeed.”

She told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser: “We do get a lot of letters like this but they are never blatantly awful.”

Laura Cullen, PR and marketing manager at Altius Group, said: “Whilst we respect the views of Claire Alexander, it cannot be ignored that there are a number of pubs which are unfortunately either struggling for viability or facing closure.

“Our letter detailed two of our recent sales – neither of which were alternative use sales – and described the appeal of pubs as a lifestyle opportunity. In also making reference to alternative use, our aim was to emphasise that there are options available to pubs at all levels, and not just those which are performing well.”