A group of Greene King licensees who are challenging the brewer over beer pricing may see their legal case collapse due to dwindling cash.
The 100 licensees, who have set up their own company called GK Tenants Ltd, claim they cannot compete with the pub operator's managed houses, which can buy beer at far cheaper prices.
They have enlisted the help of competition lawyers Maitland Walker to try to prove that Greene King is breaking competition law and had planned to approach the Office of Fair trading with a case.
However, after paying out lawyers fees the group is struggling to raise cash to continue the action and is calling on other Greene King tenants to join the fight by donating money.
The licensee heading up the campaign, Meeko Oates of the Shoulder of Mutton in Wantage, is no longer a Greene King tenant but says he is still devoted to the fight. He says he is continuing to focus all his efforts on the legal case and is hoping to mailshot the Greene King estate to drum up more support.
Another licensee in Abingdon, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "We have to be patient but we need the money to take it to the next level."
Greene King has refuted the tenants' claims, saying it cannot be anti-competitive since it does not have a 40 per cent share of the market.
The company declined to comment last week, saying it preferred to discuss the issues directly with those involved.
Related articles:
Tenants lash out at Greene King purchasing power (26 May 2005)
Greene King comes out fighting over beer prices row (23 May 2005)
Greene King faces action over beer prices (12 May 2005)