Pub giant Marston’s decision to oust pub and hotel tenants in the Keswick area has backfired, it has been claimed.
The West Cumbria branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), says the company could soon be forced into making a humiliating U-turn in the face of industry-wide recruitment shortages.
Marston’s, which owns Cockermouth-based Jennings Brewery, run four pubs in Keswick – the Twa Dogs, the Oddfellows Arms, the Bank Tavern and the George Hotel. They also own the Royal Oak at nearby Braithwaite.
Last year the licensees of all five were handed section 25 notices, effectively giving them 12 months to vacate their hostelries. Rather than see out their terms, however, all decided to leave early.
Currently the George remains shut, while the Oddfellows and the Twa Dogs are not currently serving meals – the result, CAMRA claim, of Marston’s being unable to recruit new staff.
Spokesman Hugh Price said: “Assuming that increased profitability of these former Jennings Brewery outlets under company management was their objective, then it’s not going to plan.
“If they’d done their homework they would probably have left their tenants in place, as they were paying high rents, buying Carlsberg Marston’s drinks and trading with loyal long-term staff.
“Needless to say, when Marston’s did the dirty on their tenants, their staff refused to work for them. And the fact of the matter is that potential hospitality staff looking for work in the town are as rare as hens’ teeth.”
Mr Price said that the situation could result in an embarrassing climb-down by the pub group.
“My guess is that Marston’s may be forced into doing a U-turn and try to lease off the pubs they have invaded and attempted to run under management.”
A Marston’s spokesman said: “Recruitment problems are a nationwide concern in the hospitality sector, along with rising prices and the cost-of-living crisis.
“We remain committed to the future of pubs in Keswick, despite the challenges currently facing the industry.”
Marston’s, dating back 180 years, has grown from a family run business to a PLC with 1,500 pubs which are managed, franchised, or leased, and 12,000 employees.
It has a 40 per cent holding in Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company.
