OFT RESPONSE TO CAMRA SUPER-C

RNS Number : 2202B

Marston's PLC

22 October 2009

 



   22nd October 2009

MARSTON'S PLC ('Marston's')

OFT RESPONSE TO CAMRA SUPER-COMPLAINT

The Office of Fair Trading ('OFT') has this morning issued its assessment of the super-complaint from the Campaign for Real Ale ('CAMRA') regarding the UK pub industry.

Having examined the issues raised in the super-complaint, the OFT has not found evidence that supply ties are resulting in competition problems that are having an adverse impact on consumers. In particular, the OFT has established that there is competition and choice in the market and noted that any strategy which compromises the competitive position of its lessees would not be sustainable with pub companies commercial interests aligned with the interests of their lessees.

As a consequence, the OFT has reached a view that further investigation is not warranted. 

Ralph Findlay, Chief Executive, commented: "Over many years supply ties have provided opportunity to enter the pub industry without having to commit significant capital. We have consistently argued that many of the very real issues faced by some tenants and lessees are related to the performance of the economy as a whole. As a consequence, we have introduced, and continue to develop, a wide and comprehensive range of measures to support licensees. We intend to continue to work closely with licensees and to implement revisions to our Code of Practice in accordance with an agreement reached between certain industry bodies including the British Beer & Pub Association and the British Institute of Innkeeping. These changes are consistent with our long held objective to work with our licensees in a transparent and fair manner, and to promote sustainable commercial relationships"

ENQUIRIES:

Marston's PLC                                                  Hudson Sandler

Ralph Findlay, Chief Executive                       Andrew Hayes / James White

Andrew Andrea, Finance Director

Tel: [phone]                                           Tel: [phone]

NOTES TO EDITORS 

• Marston's is a leading independent brewer and pub operator.

• It has an estate of circa 2,184 pubs and bars situated nationally and is the UK's leading brewer of premium cask ales, including Marston's Pedigree and Jennings Cumberland Ale. The beer portfolio also includes Banks's, Brakspear, Hobgoblin, Mansfield and Ringwood beers.

• The estate comprises 1,688 tenanted or leased pubs, and 496 managed pubs including Marston's Tavern Table, Two for One and Pitcher & Piano.

• Marston's employs over 12,000 people throughout England and Wales.

 

END

 

 

RSPMTBLTMMJTMAL