Tuppen hits back at Clegg's pubco attack

Enterprise Inns' chief Ted Tuppen has hit back at criticism of the pubco model by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, arguing it is at the "heart of the pub industry".

In an exclusive interview with The Publican​ last week, Clegg suggested the model was "unfair" and that some pubcos "don't have their hearts in the pub trade".

He also said: "I don't like the big guys beating up the little guys".

Now Tuppen has written a lengthy response to the MP, defending his company, and asked for a meeting.

"To suggest of our business model that "by definition it must be unfair" is itself an unfair statement which has the potential to harm our business and our relations with present and potential licensees," he states.

In the letter​, Tuppen says he is a "whole hearted believer in the fairness of the leased and tenanted system and the opportunities it provides for talented, hardworking and committed entrepreneurs".

He later adds: "Far from seeing the model as unfair, I see it at the heart of the pub industry, providing opportunity, advice and support to people who might otherwise never have a chance of running a pub."

On the "beating up the little guys" comment, the pubco boss says that Enterprise is spending "some £50,000 per day, £18million a year" on helping its licensees.

He has invited Clegg to meet some of his employees. "I know you will find that they are passionate about pubs, skilled in the business of pubs and totally committed to the success of the pubs they look after," the letter says.

He has also suggested a meeting with Clegg himself to address the issues.