Local brew can stay

HARVEYS beer enthusiasts in Lewes, concerned at the possible loss of the famous local brew from several pubs, are toasting a reprieve.

Suffolk brewers and pub owners Greene King this week pledged not to withdraw Harveys Bitter from any of the ex-Beards pubs it owns in the town.

The company this week said it was not so much bowing to public pressure as making a sound commercial decision. But the news is not so good for Harveys fans in country pubs.

Concern over Greene King's policy were highlighted by regulars at The Kings Head at Chailey who launched a petition to keep Harveys after Greene King announced the removal of the Sussex beer from the end of September.

And the future of Harveys in other Greene King's village pubs remains uncertain.

No plans

Sales development manager John Shuckburgh said: 'We have no plans to withdraw Harveys from any of our Lewes pubs for the foreseeable future simply because we sell Harveys so well in the town.'

Only one Lewes pub The Lamb has lost its Harveys and that happened some years ago.

But in the countryside the situation is different.

Mr Shuckburgh would not comment on individual businesses but confirmed that other Greene King pubs would find themselves in the same situation as The Kings Head.

'I can't say when or where as discussions are continuing,' he added.

Clive Pettitt, marketing director of Greene King, said: 'At the time of the acquisition of Beards pubs, Greene King could have withdrawn Harveys immediately, but decided to retain it.

'Since then we have seen sales of Harveys continually decline and a large number of the ex-Beards outlets no longer sell it.

'It is for this reason that we are reviewing the offer of Harveys in individual outlets through ongoing business reviews.'

Greene King licensees have the benefit of a wide range of leading own-brewed cask ales, which include Greene King IPA, Ruddles Best, XX Mild, Morland Original, Ruddles County, as well as the renowned Abbot Ale and Old Speckled Hen.

Barcombe resident Jim Bourne is asking drinkers to write to Greene King urging the company not to withdraw Harveys Bitter from local ex-Beards pubs.

He said the action was the equivalent of Harveys taking over a number of Suffolk pubs and ousting the local brew in favour of their own.

And the Campaign for Real Ale is taking the matter up at national level. Its head office has written to Greene King saying the decision is short-sighted.