Lessee loses pub and £10K

A former Marstons lessee claims he has been left more than £10,000 out of pocket following the sale of his pub to Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE).

David Sullivan is now being forced to quit the Poachers Pocket in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, after a string of problems which resulted in the pub losing its licence earlier this month.

The licensee said he paid £7,000 as a deposit on the lease for the pub in May, and a further £3,500 for fixtures and fittings.

He said he paid this money to Marston's, which owned the pub. Shortly afterwards, the Poacher¹s Pocket was sold to S&NPE.

The pub became part of Discovery Pub Company when S&NPE set up the new pubco earlier this month.

Sullivan claims that from day one the pub had been subject to high levels of crime, including arson attempts, fights, break-ins and theft.

He said: "I had asked [Marston's] 'have there been any problems in the pub?' and they said 'no, I am not aware of any'.

"But now I know the police have been in constant contact with the brewer."

The Poacher's Pocket was de-licensed at a hearing on November 16 over public safety concerns. Discovery has also issued a forfeiture notice on the pub to get Sullivan out by December 3.

Sullivan said he wants his money back before he moves out and has provided The Publican ​with bank statements that appear to show £10,500 was paid out to Marston's.

Marston's said it was unable to comment on specifics of the case, although it was working hard to resolve the matter.

Fiona Reece, a spokeswoman for Discovery, said: "We have been working hard to reach an amicable agreement with Mr Sullivan.

"We understand he does not wish to remain at the pub and we have offered him the chance to end his lease early.

"For reasons we do not feel appropriate to make public, we have been forced to take legal action against Mr Sullivan."