Punch rebel celebrates buying pub's freehold

by Ewan Turney

A former Punch host who led a revolt against the company has bought the freehold of his old pub - for £400,000 plus VAT and stamp duty - and vowed to invite all the company directors to the grand opening.

Midlands businessman and former Punch lessee Dave Westwood completed the purchase of the Vine at Rugeley, Staffordshire, from London & Edinburgh Inns earlier this month. Westwood spent almost five years at the pub before quitting in 2003. During his time under Punch he formed the Federation of Pub Partnerships group, the predecessor of today's Freedom For Pubs Association, in late 2002 to campaign against the beer tie and high rents.

'The difference in owning a freehouse is staggering,' he said. 'I now have suppliers falling over themselves to get my business. Under my lease I was lucky to make 42% gross profit on beer but now it is around 62%. I only have to pay £300 a week for my mortgage, which is around half of what my rent used to be. In short, I only have to take half the amount of money to survive.'

Westwood's struggle with Punch included a court battle in 2002 when he was fined for buying outside the tie, but he feels he has now reaped his revenge on beerflow monitoring company Brulines.

'They sent me a letter asking if they could remove their equip- ment,' he said. 'I said yes if the man comes with £50 cash. He did and now the first 50 customers will get £1 off their drinks.'

Westwood also owns a plot of land adjacent to the pub and plans to build around 15 flats. He plans to convert a room into a restaurant and even run a shop from the premises. 'The area is ripe for development,' he said.

Despite his past differences with Punch an invitation will be extended to the board of directors. 'I even have some T-shirts for them to wear at the opening saying 'Vine 2005 - Freehouse',' he said.