No cash for court case, says Enterprise licensee

A former Enterprise licensee who claims he lost thousands of pounds trying to resurrect a struggling pub says he hasn't got the money to take the company to court.

Brian Mackie lost the Black Swan in Todmorden, Lancashire, two years ago after financial difficulties, but says the real kick in the teeth is that he now can't afford to go to court because he has nothing left.

Mr Mackie claims he would not have lost the pub in the first place if Enterprise had treated him fairly and allowed him and his partner to take part in the "Bradford Scheme".

The scheme, which allows publicans to save between £30 and £100 a barrel bought from Enterprise as part of its tie agreement for a higher rent, could have saved him £15,000 over a nine-month period, he claims.

Mr Mackie was told he couldn't take part in the scheme and is furious that there appears to be no set criteria for who qualifies with the discount given at the company's discretion.

Mr Mackie said: "We have been in dispute with Enterprise Inns for almost two years.

"At every turn we were told we would win by our solicitors. Alas that apparently depends on the depth of one's pockets."

The Publican asked Enterprise Inns to respond to Mr Mackie's claims, but was told by a spokeswoman that the company does not comment on individual cases.

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Licensee excluded from pubco discount scheme (17 February 2005)