l Williams

Paul Williams
Sunday
Paul Williams

Hi mark.

Just read your posts and feel sad and angry for you. Typical pubcos driving out good dedicated long term tenants and then still wanting more. Bastards.

What I can tell you is that it does get better. We lost everything back in January and although every day is a struggle to sometimes even buy basics I am personaly much happier and can see the future more clearly have hope. You are right about the customers. We are have a reunion tonight with some of our old and best customers to drink to the departure of the new 'tenants/managers' that Marstons put in place to replace us. These are golden people who will always remain friends.

I wish you all the very best for the future and know that there is much to look forward to. Kindest regards and stay strong.

Paul Williams
J Mark Dodds
Sunday
J Mark Dodds

Many thanks for taking the time to share your experience Paul. Much appreciated
Paul Williams
13 hours ago
Paul Williams

Hi Mark

Hope all is good with you.

I have just read through your PPP article and I take my hat off to you. The reason I haven't posted on the licencee site is simply that I feel too many have been so badly bitten that they can only see the negitive in the trade at the moment.

Although we were put out of business by Marstons I truely believe that an ethically run pub company has got a place in the market. Where I live there is a small pubco run by a family. I happened to bump into the MD on saturday night. He allows full FOT and rent based on 8% ish of FMT. He also sources beer for his tenants. Last example 11 of Fosters £55. He very rarely looses a tenant and they mostly make a good living. There is a future. Of that I am certain.

One aspect of our trade I feel could add massively to any business and that is an emphasis on service. Reflecting the series last year on TV where Ramond Blanc trained some kids to 5* standard. Why is the pub so different. The locals £3 is no more or less valuable than the £100 for a Michelin meal. Make them feel valued and they will keep coming back. All evidence points to this. Most will excuse the occassional poor meal but a majority will walk away from bad service.

I wish you every success in your venture and look forward to hearing further from you in due course. If I can be of any help in West Wales please feel free to ask.

Kindest regards

Paul Williams

Many thanks for taking the time to write Paul - You are spot on, on all counts. Sorry about Marston's putting you down. They are a bunch of lying duplicitous self serving scum like all the pubcos. I'm very interested to know who the small family pubco you know are. The BISC recommendations are unlikely to be put into effect by government because, already, the 'family brewers' are bleating on to government that they NEED the tie or else they will lose their Rollers and their Rolling Hills Estates. We need real business people who are making a decent living out of letting pubs to tenants to come forward and prove that running pubs can be done responsibly and well - WITHOUT ripping tenants off - where everyone benefits from reasonable rents and supply prices - Freeholder Leaseholder and Community. Let's keep in touch. If you're OK about that would you mind sending a message to (is this public or private? I'm never sure of that on facebook) peoplespubpartnership@gmail.com so I can get back to you directly? Best. Mark