Marston's Pub Company has pledged its support once more for the National Pub Week run by the Justice for Licensees group.
Although Marston's backed the week last year, its support is surprising given Justice for Licensees, run by Inez Ward, is also highly critical of the way pubcos treat their tenants and is campaigning for change.
The aim of the week is promote the positive aspects of the pub trade and aims to get customers back in pubs.
The week will run from 30 October to 6 November to coincide with Halloween and Guy Fawkes night.
"The aim of National Pub Week is to highlight the benefits of the Great British Pub and to encourage customers old and new through the doors," said Ward.
"The Great British Pub is part of our history, heritage and culture, and is the hub of many a community and has countless benefits to offer.
"We are pleased to continue our work with Marston's to ensure that National Pub Week 2010 will benefit pubs and customers. We are confident that National Pub Week 2010 will build on its previous success."
To mark National Pub Week last year Marston's ran a competition amongst its 1,700 licensees to highlight some of the innovative ways they had helped bringing in customers at a time when trading conditions were at their toughest.
The winner of the competition received free barrels of Hobgoblin beer, a Halloween appearance by the goblin himself, cash and free business development sessions.
Peter Lyne, head of retail solutions for Marston's Pub Company, said: "Helping to highlight the vital role pubs play in our communities is incredibly worthwhile for the whole industry, not just for Marston's.
"We're happy to lend our support to National Pub Week — at a time when pubs need all of our support more than ever."