The final nail in the coffin

A desperate publican has gone on hunger strike and taken to sleeping in a coffin after being told he will be evicted by his pubco.

Colm Powell has vowed not to eat until Wednesday October 8 - more than a week after his last meal on September 28.

The protest is aimed at Enterprise Inns - the landlord of his three pubs in Tonbridge, Kent. He claims Enterprise has ruined his businesses through "exorbitant rent" and steep mark ups on tied beer

"Something has to be done. They squeeze you day in day out so now it's hard to make a living in the trade" he said.

Colm will be evicted from the Punch and Judy, which he has run for 17 years, as well as the Ivy House and Station House, after attempting to buy beer outside of the tie.

He claims he was forced to take the action after Enterprise Inns opened a rival pub just 500 yards from the Punch and Judy.

Before he started the hunger strike he wrote a letter to Enterprise chief executive Ted Tuppen.

It stated: "Recently, one of your employees called me a 'mad Irish landlord'. Well, I am now an ex-landlord thanks to you and your fellow property company magnates."

An Enterprise spokeswoman said: "We have sought to help Mr Powell with deferred payment terms, special discounts, a late licence application and a permanent rent reduction.

"Despite this help Mr Powell continued to breach the terms of his agreements, eventually leaving us with no alternative but to seek possession of the pubs involved."

Colm has also set up a website with a 'condolence book' which has attracted more than 2,000 visitors.

To sign the book of condolences visit www.dyingforthepubtrade.co.uk