Angry licensees turn on Pubsite
A Manchester-based promotions company has defended itself against complaints from unhappy publicans.
Pubsite Ltd, based in Carrington, Manchester, has been accused of breaking an agreement with licensees to attract coach-loads of tourists to pubs that advertise on its website.
But the company claims that signing up with it is no guarantee of business.
"It is like when you buy advertising space in a magazine," said Pubsite's office administrator Simon Lloyd. "Some people think they are going to get a wondrous amount of business as a result but they don't. You cannot guarantee a response to it."
Licensees claim they have been verbally promised extra business by signing up to the company's website costing several hundred pounds. However, on reading the small print they have discovered that the contract makes no mention of the coach tours.
Kevin Wilson, licensee of the Lime Tree in Paignton, Devon, claimed that Pubsite promised to deliver two to three coach-loads of tourists each week with each party bringing in £600 worth of business.
Mr Wilson said: "The contract stated Pubsite didn't have to do what it said it would do. There was no mention of any coach tours on the contract - simply an agreement to pay the company."
Signing it would have committed him to pay an initial fee of £700 followed by further payments totalling £440.
Christine Unwin, licensee of the Jolly Cricketers in Buckinghamshire, said: "I was naïve. In the two years I was signed up I received nothing and all the while payments were taken out of my bank account."
Wendy Burke, licensee of the Wagon and Horses in Bath, Avon, said: "I think it is really underhand. We have not had one coach in all that time."
The Publican has received complaints of a similar nature from several other licensees.
When questioned by The Publican, Pubsite's Mr Lloyd admitted that the company did not tell licensees that there was no guarantee of customers.
"We are never going to say that you will get nothing from it, but we don't keep anyone in the dark," he said.
"We give licensees two weeks to read and sign the contract and if they don't read it properly then it is their own fault. It says 'please read carefully' at the top of the contract."
Publicans are being warned to scrutinise every document before signing.
John Madden, executive officer of the Guild of Master Victuallers, said: "We are forever warning licensees to read contracts properly. They are in a vulnerable position and are seen as easy pickings."
The trading standards department at Trafford Council in Manchester confirmed it has a file on the company.
Pictured: Licensees should read anything they are asked to sign very carefully.
