Well it’s been an eventful week!!!We had our court case with both the Abletts and Punch taverns last Monday. Abletts case went as expected, but the case against Punch didn’t go so well!! The Judge did not agree with my research and further meetings with by Barrister explained the error of my understanding. The key element it would seem was the fact that Punch had not acknowledged the payments which they had received from us since September and as such,in the words on the Judge, no “Periodic Tenancy was created” ie we are not classed as tenants and therefore are trespassing!
Unfortunately we were also held personally liable --- something which I will be appealing against to a higher court.
However it’s not all negative-- I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my sons and seeing them develop their skills. I have watched them become men and masters of their destiny, something which has been priceless. We have all enjoyed the banter and the community which is generated around the Dog. Thank you, all of you for helping us so much and especially all of you for adopting my sons in the way which you all did.
It seems our error, in the main, was underestimating the pub industry and how it works. The Dog was offered to Robbie of the George, along with a refit of the George in exchange for signing up to an extended lease on both venues. After this was accepted the chain of events became inevitable and kicked off the antics back in April which led to the closure of the Pub. We are glad to now find out it that it was not all our doing or the doing of the Abletts; we were all simple pawns in the game. I do wish Robbie of the George all the best and I hope he keeps the pub going—it’s not easy to work under a Punch Co property with margins so thin.
Both myself and the boys intend to pop into the pub whenever we are passing. I look forward to having a drink with all of you over the coming years.
We like to think we have made our mark on the pub and although we were only landlords for a short time we have helped to add and keep the spirit of the Dog intact. I hope you will all help the next landlords in the same way as you all helped us and ensure they take the responsibility of looking after The Dog and the community is serves seriously.
We wish you all lots of luck and thank you so much for sharing with us the last 10 months or so.
.JPG)
