Ken Ryan, who runs the 24-strong Barter Inns, said that since Spirit’s acquisition by Greene King he had been told to stop stocking Sharp’s Doom Bar — his best-selling ale.
Ryan described the decision as “unacceptable” and said he feared customers could start to favour other local pubs.
“There’s been no consideration for licensees. Sharp’s Doom Bar is my biggest-selling beer — it’s a quality product and not stocking it will damage my business. Greene King IPA is a more expensive product so this isn’t better for licensees. I don’t think it’s fair,” he said.
Another multiple site operator, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser he was being asked to de-list three beers that, together, made up 20% of one of his pub’s total annual sales.
“We were visited by a Greene King BDM who told us Doom Bar is coming out and have since been told we could no longer get Jurassic Ale. Because of our location, these beers are essentials for our customers. Slowly, but surely, our pub is being dismantled by Greene King and its need to force their ales on us and gain back number one spot from Doom Bar for their Greene King IPA ale.
“This is like someone walking into your pub, asking what your best-selling dish is and then ripping up the menu and being told to serve something else entirely.”
A spokesperson from Greene King said: “We constantly review the range of products available to our partners and always update them on any forthcoming changes. We only de-list products where we have comparable brands that offer a balance of choice and better value to our tenants and licensees, helped by recent decision to hold our own brewed prices for our pub partners for a third consecutive year.”
Should Greene King have de-listed popular beers? Email emily.sutherland@wrbm.com