Heineken is now the only remaining bidder for a portfolio of 1,900 Punch pubs after rival bidder Emerald Investment confirmed that it would not pursue its bid further.
The industry has raised questions over the identity of a person behind a blog that is campaigning against Heineken’s proposed takeover of Punch Taverns.
The Punch Tenant Network (PTN), the campaign group representing Punch licensees, has called on the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) to clarify the position if Heineken’s bid for the pub company is successful.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) claimed Heineken was trying to “dismiss concerns” regarding the ongoing bid between the Dutch company and Punch Taverns.
Punch Taverns has agreed to give Brighton’s “only alternative” site a new five-year lease after fears that the venue could have been converted into part of a pub chain.
Punch CEO Duncan Garrood has said that following the pubs code and Brexit paving the way for change in 2016, next year will also bring change and opportunity.
Heineken has moved one step closer to acquiring the lions share of Punch Taverns' pub estate, after three of the pubco’s top shareholders gave their support.
