Punch puts the lease of licensee Dave Mountford's Rising Sun up for sale

Punch Taverns and Mountford came to a “private” agreement last month over the rent review of his pub although the details are not being disclosed. Mountford had been involved in a high-profile spat with Punch over his rent-review terms as the pubco wanted to increase his rent from £14,211.84pa to £24,000.

The pub is described on the Punch website as hav-ing a profit potential of £31,628pa and two Punch Buying Club lease options are being offered. Punch Taverns is considering an investment to relaunch four letting rooms and to widen the appeal of the business.

The advert said it is looking for an experienced person to provide a home-cook-ed food offer and with the ability to market the business to the tourist trade.

According to the advert: “The Rising Sun has clear potential, given its great location and an anticipated Punch Taverns refurbishment. With an investment there is potential to reinstate the letting  accomodation, which currently consists of four unused rooms, and to increase the size of the kitchen to cater for an enhanced home-cooked menu. Punch Taverns envisage this business going from strength to strength with the right operator.”