Bid to re-open Inntrepreneur pub case

A former Inntrepreneur multiple lessee is urging others interested in re-opening the infamous case against the pubco to get in touch.

The case seemed to come to an end in 2006 when former licensee Bernie Crehan lost his 13-year legal battle with the pubco.

Crehan was awarded £130,000 worth of damages after courts found his tied lease had been illegal. However, Law Lords found in favour of Inntrepreneur, which is now owned by Japanese bank Nomura, on appeal.

Around 600 other former licensees were said to be planning similar action.

But now Rick Knowles, who ran 12 Inntrepreneur leased pubs, wants to see if there is interest in re-opening the case under Project Lazarus.

"It will be a bit like a steeple chase," he said. "The first hurdle is getting people to get in touch, the second hurdle is seeing if they are interested and the third is seeing how much the case would cost to re-open and if there are grounds to do it."

Knowles said he would need at least 100 interested people to get the project of the ground. "If there is desire to resurrect this — please get in touch."

The group so far has interest from around 40 ex-tenants. Del Magin of the Pelican in Tacloneston, Suffolk said: "I believe this proposed action could be the final opportunity to achieve a just resolution for many lessees who lost everything following the Judgement of the House of Lords in the matter of Inntrepreneur v Crehan."

Those interested can email ynmnehf1900@tbbtyrznvy.pbz​ or write to Box 624, 12 St Patricks Way, Doncaster, DN5 8PL.

Crehan — the background​

The Court of Appeal ruled in 2004 that the beer-purchasing terms of Crehan's lease at the Cock Inn and the Phoenix pub in Staines, Middlesex, led to the failure of the two businesses.

It found the beer tie in the lease contravened the EU Treaty with the loss of both businesses assessed at £130,000 worth of damages plus interest.

However, the pubco appealed and the Law Lords found in favour of Inntrepreneur.