Multiple pub operator secures 43% rent reduction from Enterprise Inns

Paul Campion has seen his rent reduced from £45,655 to £28,000 per year at the Sausage Tree in Wycombe after he referred the matter to chartered surveyors Morgan & Clarke.

Enterprise had proposed increasing Campion’s rent at the pub to £49,000 from 2 August to cover the development costs of the "letting bedrooms" at the premises.

“The rent that they (Enterprise) were asking for was ridiculous - it was way overpriced” said Campion. “It looked reasonable at first (when the pub was taken on) but the wheels fell off eventually.

“The business is still quite successful but the rent was still far too much. It got to the point where it was just unsustainable.”

“I am very happy with the reduction,” Campion added. “We were concerned because we are a multiple operator and had done one rent reduction ourselves before which was a disaster, but this was excellent.”

“We reached a commercial compromise that was satisfactory to both parties” said David Morgan, of Morgan & Clarke chartered surveyors. “Although we thought that the rent should have been lower still, based on detailed analysis."

Enterprise Inns declined to comment.