Greene King reconsiders decision to remove Harveys Bitter from Lewes pub

Greene King has backed down in its battle with locals over the removal of Harveys Best bitter from the pumps at the Lewes Arm pub in East Sussex.

According to reports in the Sussex Express an internal review is underway at Greene King with the results to be presented to incumbent Local Pubs manager Jonathan Lawson when he joins the company from Sainsbury’s next week.

A statement by Greene King carried by the paper says: “We are reconsidering our decision. This is a pub we are very proud to have in our estate, but we did not fully appreciate its special position in Lewes as the former "Brewery Tap", or take into account its history and traditions.

“We underestimated the strength of feeling which led to many locals boycotting what was once a great British pub. As a result, it has lost some of its character and greatness.”

Locals have conducted a very public protest since 11 December 2006 but the division of Greene King’s managed pubs into Local and Destination divisions has seen renewed campaigning.

Mayor of Lewes Merlin Milner had called upon Lawson to reinstate Harveys as his first act at Greene King – a move which Kitchen Rat first revealed.

Greene King boycott continues at Lewes pub >>

By Christopher Walton
 

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