BITTER TASTE AS HARVEYS BEER AXED FROM PUB

Commenting on the outcome, the local MP, who successfully organised two 'stays of execution' for the local beer while Harveys and Greene King discussed alternative arrangements, said:

He said: "I am pleased that I was able to bring the two sides together and encourage some serious dialogue. There were options which, in my view, would have allowed the local bitter to stay in the Lewes Arms while providing compensatory benefits for Greene Kings but sadly it seems that such an agreement was not possible.

"I am bound to say that in my judgement Greene King has ultimately shown themselves to be inflexible and has rejected the olive branches offered.

"I genuinely believe that it is not in their interest to have reached this conclusion and that their standing in Lewes will inevitably be negatively affected by this decision.

"This leaves a very bitter taste in the mouth, but sadly not that of Harveys."