Coventry pubs 'threatened' by beer tie-ins

A former Coventry publican has warned more pubs in the city could close unless pub firms revise their prices.



Bob McGreevy is closing Butts Retreat in Spon End after 17 years. He was contracted to rent the premises and buy all his beer from Enterprise Inns. (EI)

Pint Sized trade magazine said beer tie-ins often charged between 50% and 100% more for beer than buying direct.

EI said tie-ins had outperformed free pubs in the recession and it had given Mr McGreevy extensive help to improve.

In Coventry up to 30 pubs have permanently closed in the past five years.

'Very bitter'

In 2009 pubs were closing across the country at a rate of 52 per week, the British Beer and Pub Association said.

Paul Moloney from Unison union said many pubs owned by pub companies had been set up with money borrowed from private equity firms.

"That debt is being passed onto customers and landlords and the landlords are being charged in excess of five times the rent valuation of the pub in some cases," he added.

Mr McGreevy is in the process of closing down and apologised to his customers for closing before Christmas.

He said: "I am very bitter. People are losing valuable community pubs that have existed for hundreds of years and are allowing this to happen in the name of profit."

"I don't believe they [Enterprise Inns] have given us a fair chance. We just can't compete with other operators," he added.

'Hit twice'

Sean Kilkenny said: "I've been drinking down here for the last 10 years there's a lovely crowd and it's a lovely little pub.

"What's happening is not very nice. You are breaking up a community really. There's nothing round here now."

Inez Ward, of Justice for Licensees, a campaign group with 420,000 members, said the tie-in could include the company's beer, spirits, wine and accountants.

She said in exchange for being made to buy only their products, publicans were meant to get cheaper pub rents.

"That's not happening. We are seeing more and more cases of licensees paying market level rents or more and also being charged double or more for their products, so they are being hit twice," Mrs Ward said.

A spokesman for EI said: "Tied pubs have been more successful in weathering the recession than free-of-tie pubs and we are receiving a record number of applications to take on pubs across the country. Sadly, there will always be individual cases where things do not work out."

The Broomfield Tavern has closed down, according to the Coventry Telegraph today (18th November)

Thanks Flapdoodle PoundShopPeter mentioned it a few days ago but I was unable to verify its closure at the time. Contrary to what the landlord of the Old Dyers has suggested, the Black Horse still remains open.

This may or may not be relevant but the local economy in Spon End has been hit very badly by government cutbacks over the last few years.

Sad to report the Butts Retreat (Summerland) was not only closed when I passed it the other day but had security shutters fitted to all doors and windows and all stock removed which suggests it will not be reopening anytime soon

I read in one of the "nationals" that there is talk of charging an extra £4500 for a late night licence. I suspect that we'll start to see an escalation of closures after Christmas. January/February are always slow months for the pub trade.

My mate who runs a pub is really struggling getting people through the doors at the moment. Consider the extra heating he's using, and the fact he was already on very thin margins, and it start to become quite apparent that trouble lies ahead. A meeting with his accountant last week wasn't very helpful. He was told he needed to raise his beer prices!

I notice the Summerland's car park is still in great use although obviously not by customers.

There's something odd happening at the Black Horse in Spon End.

The front doors are locked and a message reads "Open at 8.30am, please use side entrance".

Since when did any pub open at 8.30am?

The Butts Retreat (aka The Summerland, The Fob Watch) has now reopened.

The Butts Retreat (aka The Summerland, The Fob Watch) has now reopened.

It was closed again when I passed it last Saturday. Can't say I'm surprised as the local economy hasn't improved any since it last shut down.

Also heard that the Craven Arms in Craven Street had closed down.

Time called on five Coventry bars


Cllr Bally Singh outside The Craven Arms

A WELL-known Coventry pub which dates back to 1874 has closed suddenly.

The Craven Arms in Chapelfields is one of five victims of the downturn in the licensing trade.

Pubs and clubs are being hit by rising rents and falling trade as more and more people tighten their belts and stay in.

A second traditional boozer – The Wheel pub in Sewall Highway, Courthouse Green – has also just closed, along with Corpus Christi social club in Ernesford Grange.

And two city centre bars, both called The Terrace, have also shut in the past month – one in Riley Street and the other in Bull Yard.

The Craven Arms closed on Sunday January 6 and the landlord moved out the following day. It’s believed it may be the first time in its history it has shut its doors for good.

Former customers claimed the landlord had had a row with pub company Enterprise over a rent rise. One said: “They’d put his rent up and he couldn’t pay, so that was that.”

Linda Hill, secretary of Chapelfields Residents and Traders Association, said the closure was a huge loss to the community.

“The landlord and his partner did a huge amount for the residents’ association with hosting Christmas parties, Jubilee street parties and children’s activities.

‘‘It’s just really sad to see them go and the pub.

“I’ve never known the pub to be closed - even though the landlords have changed it has always been taken over as a pub.’’

The drop-off in festive trade this month has led to fears more pubs could go as the impact of rising beer taxes hits prices at the pump.

Coun Bally Singh (Lab, Whoberley) said it was believed to be the first time the Craven Arms had been closed down in more than 100 years.

He said: “For the Craven Arms to close for the first time in over a hundred years really is sad news.’’



Landlord John Carey – who was running The Wheel – blamed pub company Enterprise Inns for its closure.

He is currently in dispute with the company.

He said: “The rent and the price of beer just keeps going up all the time.

“The managed house pubs near me are selling beer for £2-a-pint. I can’t even buy it at that price.

“I had a bit of a stroke two years ago so my wife and my daughter said I had to slow down. So that meant I had to come out of The Wheel.”

Mr Carey, who also runs the Millpool in Hipswell Highway and The Squirrel in the city centre, claims he has spent two years lining up replacement tenant landlords but blames Enterprise for not signing them up.

He added: “It’s a decision I had to make. It’s not one I wanted to make because in the end the only losers are the customers, and they’re a great bunch.”

The Terrace bar in Riley Street has had its lease forfeited according to signs outside.

Commercial property surveyors Shortland, Penn and Moore are now dealing with the premises and hope to find a new tenant to take it on. Enterprise Inns was unavailable for comment.

Derelict Coventry pub to reopen as Mediterranean restaurant



A pub which has been standing empty for nearly four years is to open as a Mediterranean restaurant.

The Khamara Lounge bar and grill is due to open in the former Butts Retreat later this month.

The bar of the pub in Spon End, Coventry, has been refurbished with a smart outdoor seating area at the back.

The former pub car park alongside the building is now a public pay and display car park.

Owner Raj Sharma hopes office workers from the Department of Education building across the road will be among the customers when the restaurant opens.

He said: “We’re still refurbishing it and we hope to open at the end of the month.”

It actually reopened some time but it's taken until now for the Telegraph to notice!