WHITBREAD PLC AND THE RIGHTS OF PUB LESSEES

Motion Text

That this House deplores the decision by Whitbread Plc to sell all of its 3,000 pubs to a sole bidder, thereby denying its 1,7000 pub lessees the right to buy the freehold on their premises; further notes that many lessees have invested very large sums in their pubs and in the process have contributed substantially to Whitbread's profits; recognises that these lessees now feel betrayed by the company's actions; supports their Right to Buy Campaign aimed at persuading the company to consider bids from individual lessees or groups of lessees; and calls on the Government to initiate an urgent review of the legal position of pub lessees in such situations.