MA helps licensee refused by bank

Banking giant Santander has apologised to a licensee after she was reportedly told by the group it won't lend to any pubs.

Santander, which owns Alliance & Leicester, Abbey and Bradford & Bingley, said it has now reiterated to staff its policy of judging requests on a case-by-case basis.

Suffolk host Bella Aldred has been granted a £4,000 overdraft with Alliance & Leicester after the Morning Advertiser intervened.

Aldred said her initial request was turned down. "The [banking advisor] wasn't unpleasant. She said that their policy was to not loan to pubs, full stop.

"I thought it was horrendous. It was only the Morning Advertiser's intervention that made any difference."

The licensee of the freehold Racehorse Inn at Westhall said it was the first time she had asked for credit and her business account had never been in the red.

The news comes amid reports that banks have been refusing to loan to licensees since the start of the banking crisis last year.

A spokesman for the Alliance & Leicester said: "We would like to apologise for the wrong information the customer received.

"The point that has been reiterated to our advisors is that we look at things on a case-by-case basis.

"The vast majority of our teams have been doing a fantastic job. Our lending to small and medium businesses increased in 2008. I would like to get across the point that good businesses will always get the support they need."

He was unable to say how many licensees bank with Santander but it is a "significant number".

• Does your bank have a blanket policy of not lending to licensees? Call John Harrington on 01293 610481 or email wbua.uneevatgba@jvyyvnz-errq.pb.hx​.