The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has urged NewRiver Retail to re-consider any plans to develop surplus land on the 158 sites it has acquired from Punch Taverns.
Head of communications at CAMRA Tom Stainer told M&C’s sister title the Publican’s Morning Advertiser: “New River Retail has also not confirmed its plans for the purchased pubs - but appears to be making positive statements about its intentions to run them as going concerns.”
The company’s property director Allan Lockhart said NewRiver will work with Punch tenants affected to grow sales while looking for additional opportunities to redevelop surplus land.
Stainer continued: “We’ll also be calling on New River Retail to consider fully any plans for redevelopment of surplus land associated with the recently purchased pubs and the potential effect redeveloping carparks or gardens could have on the future viability of the pubs.
“We’ll also be urging Punch Taverns - and any pub owning company - to consider other options for sale, including offering pubs to community groups or licensees themselves, before selling to property companies.”
