Euro-MP Backs Local Publicans' Right to Buy

12.00.00am GMT Thu 1st Feb 2001

Diana Wallis, Lib Dem Euro-MP for Yorkshire and the Humber, has given her backing to a campaign by Whitbread Partnerships Publicans for the right to buy their pubs should Whitbread put their 3000 outlets up for sale.

Diana has been drawn into the campaign after being approached by one of the campaign leaders, local publican the "Coach and Horses" in Chapel Town, Sheffield.

Writing to Mario Monti, European Competition Commissioner, Diana Wallis is asking him to carefully monitor any future en bloc sale of the pubs for possible anti-competitive effects on the market.

Many of these Publicans entered into the leasing arrangements with the Whitbread Pub Partnership on the understanding - conveyed by the name and promotional material - that they had some form of 'partnership' agreement.

Says Diana Wallis,

"Not unreasonably, they therefore assumed from the prominent use of the word partnership, that that was indeed what they had. In such circumstances as have now arisen, they believe that at the very least, they should be given first refusal before any sale."

Diana Wallis is keen to ensure fair play for these publicans.

"They have invested time, effort and large sums of money into their businesses on the basis of what may have been a misrepresentation at the time of purchase. And let us not forget the implications for consumer choice of such an en bloc sale.

"Clearly we have to keep a watchful eye on this, ensuring both that publicans are treated fairly and any anti-competitive effect threatening consumer choice are avoided.

"Whitbread even stands accused by one of its former chairman who says they are refusing to give publicans first rights of refusal on their leases. I would hope they will review their position and think very carefully about how these assets are dealt with."

For more information, see: www.wpprightobuy.co.uk