Farron set for crunch talks with Enterprise Inns

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st May 2008

Liberal Democrat MP and 'Fair Pint' campaigner Tim Farron is set for crunch talks with the pubco Enterprise Inns, following his prominent role in the 'Fair Pint' campaign which seeks to offer a better deal to landlords in order to save the British pub. Mr. Farron has been outraged by the conditions applied to landlords, who are forced to buy their product from the pubcos despite much cheaper prices elsewhere, as well as problems with the rent they have to pay.

Mr Farron said:

"There have been some positive noises coming out of Enterprise Inns - such as their promise to offer rent concessions and trading support to pubs that have been feeling the pinch - but what is being offered is not enough. There are big problems in the pub industry partly due to the stringent conditions applied by pub companies who have thus far failed to adequately support local landlords.

"There is a lot that needs to be done; just recently a pub in my constituency, The Duke of Cumberland, has been forced to close following big losses. If you drive through Kendal's main street you see empty pub which not long ago were thriving. There is no doubt that the ridiculously high costs landlords are forced to pay for beer compared to wholesale prices have helped to cause this situation. Clearly, something must be done to protect these pubs which are in many cases the centre of the local community, and I look forward to speaking to Enterprise Inns to persuade them of the need for action and to hear what they have to say."