Supply difficulties upset Unique host

by John Longden Unique is being threatened with legal action for breach of contract by a fed-up landlord experiencing supply problems from Scottish Courage's new distribution centre in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

John Adamson, licensee of the Joiners Arms, Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, whose family has run the pub for 20 years, has suffered on-going problems since deliveries started coming from Wakefield six months ago.

Scottish Courage admitted in February that problems with its supply-chain re-organisation had resulted in greater "disruption, costs and delays" for itself.

Adamson's difficulties started when deliveries were switched from Masham ­ 15 miles away ­ to the new depot at Wakefield, which is 25 miles away.

He said: "We don't stay open all day so schedule our beer deliveries for 8am to 12 noon on Thursdays ­ they often arrive as late as 6pm or not on the delivery date at all.

It is not uncommon for our cellarman to have to stay on late into the evening to take the delivery, costing me overtime."

The situation has not improved despite assurances from Unique supply arm Supplyline and

Scot Co.

"I am in a vicious circle as my lease says I must order products from Supplyline.

But if they do not arrive I am not permitted to source the stock elsewhere as this is a breach of my lease agreement.

"Unique can't expect me to run my business under the current conditions.

"It is time the pub companies made life easier for the landlords and introduced financial penalties for orders not received or arriving outside the delivery time window," he added.

A spokesman for Scottish Courage said: "Our apologies go to the customer as it is clearly not our intention to inconvenience anyone.

"It is unfortunate that there has been this pain during our drive to achieve a cost-efficient supply chain.

However, we are fully committed to continuing the improvement in service from Wakefield."

A Unique spokesman said: "A number of supply issues were experienced during and after the restructuring of Scottish Cour-age's supply chain.

We continue to work closely with Scottish Courage's supply chain management on a daily basis to resolve outlet-level issues.

"The issues experienced at the Joiners Arms have been highlighted to their senior management and the pub has been put on close monitor' to ensure that these issues are addressed.