GMB demo against eviction of Admiral Taverns tenant

The GMB trade union is to hold a demonstration against the eviction of an Admiral Taverns tenant, who has been at his pub for 17 years.

Bill Synan faces eviction on 9 November after he was caught and fined for buying Fosters out of tie.

"Bill Synan was damned if he paid tied prices that he could not afford and now he has been damned for paying wholesale prices he can afford," said Paul Maloney, GMB National Officer said.

"His eviction comes in the week when the Office of Fair Trading said it could not intervene to assist tied tenants like Bill. Admiral Taverns idea of negotiation is to go to court to get a tenant of 17 years evicted. Admiral Taverns need to get back into negotiations on this."

A spokesperson for Admiral Taverns said: "This very much a last resort, and comes after numerous attempts on our behalf to come to an agreement with the landlord.

"We offer our landlords a large selection of leading drinks brands at competitive prices and all pricing agreements are negotiated with licensees on an individual basis.

"All licensees who sign up to a tenancy or lease agreement with us are fully aware of these prices when they sign up to run our pubs."