Established by a rugby playing student called Tom, saveourpubs.org.uk warns that the deal, involving 1,900 pubs, would spell “the end of the strong craft ale industry” and the “end of the truly British pub”.
He writes: “I have resolved to take action against, and strongly oppose the Heineken takeover of Punch Taverns. Join me today in saving our pubs! It’s as simple as clicking a button to write your MP, CMA [Competition and Markets Authority] and the PM.”
Industry figures remain "puzzled"
However, well-known industry figures remain “puzzled” by the man behind the website, which features quotes from Greg Mulholland, chair of the British Pub Confederation, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)’s Colin Valentine and Chris Lindesay, of the Punch Tenant Network and steering group member of the British Pub Confederation (BPC), among others.
“I have personally contacted all the people quoted on that site none of them have given quotes to Tom, all were taken from the [BPC press release]", Lindesay told The Morning Advertiser.
“We haven’t been able to make any real progress in finding out who he is… we’re puzzled. It’s not helping the points we want to make about the takeover although we do resonate with some of the sentiments, but not all of them.”
CAMRA are not connected to the blog
A CAMRA spokeswoman insisted the organisation was “in no way connected” to the blog and suggested Valentine’s quote had been lifted from a previous press statement.
The Morning Advertiser attempted to contact Tom but has not yet received a reply.