Pub boss's real ale trail hopes dashed
A PUB boss claims his hopes of creating a real ale pub trail in South Shields have been dashed by a brewery's "broken promises".
When Tony Shawcross took over as joint licensee with his partner Tessa Gosling at The Riverside pub on the Mill Dam five months ago they had high hopes of making it a success.
Their plan was to create a real ale trail between the pub, The Steamboat on the Mill Dam and The Alum House near the Ferry Landing, which the couple also run.
But they say those hopes lie in ruins because the brewery, Greene King, failed to install six new hand-pumps at The Riverside.
Mr Shawcross, 35, says that as a consequence, real ale aficionados have been by-passing the pub.
Today a spokesman for Greene King said the company is trying to reach an "amicable solution" to the situation.
But Mr Shawcross claims he has been left out of pocket because of the inactivity – and that he has no choice but to cut his losses and leave the premises.
He added: "The plan from the start was for the pub to form part of a real ale pub trail in South Shields. That was an essential part of our business plan.
"We had assurances that the hand pumps would be installed immediately, but we waited and waited and nothing happened.
"We would never have invested the money that we have if we'd known the pumps wouldn't be installed.
"Real ale drinkers have been walking in one door, seeing there were no real ales on, and walking out the other.
"Now, we have no choice but to walk away. The hand-pumps are now being installed, but it's too late. This has been a very bitter experience."
The plan is for Mr Shawcross to vacate the premises at the end of the month, although he will continue at The Alum House.
Joe Smith, regional manager with Greene King, said: "Our licensees are self-employed individuals who take on the pub voluntarily to run their own business, and we do everything we can to offer the licensees the autonomy and freedom to do this.
"Although we do not discuss individual commercial arrangements, we can confirm that we are in discussions with the current licensees, and will be working with them to reach an amicable solution so the pub's customers are not affected in any way."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Jarrow
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
