Enterprise Inns refuses to take protestors' letter

Pubco giant Enterprise Inns has today refused to accept a letter from licensees outlining their plight.

More than 100 people - licensees and their customers - are taking part in a protest organised by campaign group Justice for Licensees, with The Publican joining them to report from the frontline.

Protestors from across the country met at Enterprise Inns headquarters in Solihull this morning.

Police watched on as the demonstrators waved placards and chanted about their opposition to the beer tie and high rents.

The protestors were initially told the letter would be accepted but nobody from the company came to collect it.

Licensee Nicky Francey, of the Sun & Doves, in Camberwell, South London, said: "Today people want to make their voices heard and make the point that they are not happy with the way things are and that things want to change."

Colm Powell, who went on hunger strike as part of a protest against his former landlord Enterprise Inns, said: "Today we are here to protest and hopefully get more support from the public but nobody is even coming out to talk to us.

"The pub industry is dying and these people are killing us."

Licensees were due to arrive at Punch Taverns head offices in Burton-upon-Trent this afternoon for the second part of their demonstration.