Punch Taverns lessee voices concern over “split insurance policies”

Penny Bloodworth, of the Wharf Inn, in Fenny Compton, Southam, Warwickshire, has complained to the financial ombudsman after being forced to pay at least £600 per week in waste collection charges since last April.

Bloodworth, who was instructed by Punch to take out buildings insurance with CNA insurance company, said she had been given the “run-around” by both Punch and her insurance providers over the past 12 months as she sought to recoup costs.

She told the PMA​ that CNA had agreed to cover the cost of a replacement tank this May, but not the associated costs of emptying it and advised her to speak to her separate contents insurer. However, the contents insurance company said it is not liable.

“Punch made us have their chosen insurance company. If I had one insurance that covered the lot it would have been done and dusted.”

Bloodworth, who has run the pub for eight years with her husband, Keith, said she would have been forced to close the venue had she not arranged for a waste collection contractor to remove the sewage. She added that she’d been left feeling “exhausted” and let down by the lack of assistance from Punch.

“I’m not angry, but disappointed. I feel I could have had more support from Punch in sorting this out.

“When I called the property helpline, I spoke to the then area manager for Punch, who actually said to me when stating that they were not responsible for any repairs ‘read your lease, if you don’t understand it, get a solicitor’.

“They should be fighting my corner for me, not leaving me to it.”

A Punch Taverns spokesperson said: “As a commercial landlord owning over 4,000 properties, we must ensure that each and every one of our buildings is insured, otherwise we place our assets at significant risk

"The confusion has stemmed from our contractors, SGP, who provided incorrect advice and as such instructed contractors to visit and service (empty) the septic tank. As soon as this mistake was noticed the correction was made.

"We have worked closely with the partner and we have arranged for the tank to be replaced. Whilst the Punch Building Insurance policy does cover the replacement of the tank, it does not include the servicing of the sceptic tank. Punch, however, have absorbed significant costs towards this.

“The partner has always been responsible for servicing the tank. Any associated costs surrounding the insurance claim would fall to the partner’s own insurance. We have advised the partner to request an explanation from their insurers and discuss any disagreements over the septic tank directly with them.”

Despite repeated calls, CNA declined to comment.