Brewery boss quits pub in beer-tie row

A brewery boss is to quit his pub after new owner Young's banned him from selling his ales there.

David Roberts and his wife, Ruth, will call last orders at the Rising Sun, Epsom, Surrey, on 18 August because it is no longer allowed to sell beers from his Pilgrim Brewery at Reigate.

Young's said the terms of the lease mean it can impose a full beer tie at the Rising Sun.

But the pub has been free-of-tie for the past seven years under an agreement between him and its then-owner Punch.

Roberts said: "We have been selling our own cask ales ale plus a range of speciality imported beers and lager. This has given us a cutting-edge point of difference and attracted a wonder-

fully loyal clientele. Young's is acting within its rights but I do not think it understands just why the pub has become so popular over the years.

"We have built up business here from virtually nothing and it will be tragic to see it end."

A Young's spokesman said Roberts was aware of the terms of his lease. "In future, the Rising Sun will be a tied house stocking Young's products and we expect to increase trade there following the acquisition," he added.