Tenant of Grinning Rat hits out at Punch over eviction

James Iannone, who runs lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pub, the Grinning Rat on a tenancy at will, claims he had been promised a full tenancy agreement by a former Punch area manager, who is now believed to be absent through long-term sickness.

According to Iannone, the next thing he knew, he was being given six-days’ notice to leave.

He said: “After asking me to submit a business plan and prove I had funds available, my former area manager said he would be delighted if I were to take a substantial agreement on the back of all the hard work I’ve done.

“He has disappeared, and the new area manager doesn’t want to know.”

Iannone, who only took on the pub at the start of the year, said the positive feedback from his previous area manager encouraged him to spend thousands of pounds on refurbishing the outlet.

“The whole situation has been a horrible nightmare. I want compensation for the money spent, and I’m currently taking legal advice.”

In its recruiting process, Punch Taverns said it selects licensees that it believes to be the best operators and any decision is based only on proposed business strategies.

A Punch Taverns spokesperson said: “After reviewing a business plan from another interested party, the commercial decision was made to recruit a new licensee on a similar short-term lease agreement.”

The spokesman added: “We feel that the newly recruited licensee will be able to take the Grinning Rat from strength to strength and continue to serve the local community.”

“However, we are in regular dialogue and continue to work closely with Mr Iannone.”

The Grinning Rat is currently still trading with Iannone at the helm, but he said it will only be matter of time before he is forced out.

“We are the only designated LGBT pub in Suffolk, but people of all sexual orientation drink at the pub. This change will be a real loss to the local community.”