Charles Wells provides further support for licensees

Brewer and pub operator Charles Wells has extended its price freeze on draught beers until the summer in a bid to support struggling licensees.

Prices for beer brewed by the Wells and Young's Brewing Company, of which Charles Wells is a joint partner, will now be held until 1 July 2009.

Charles Wells had previously frozen prices until 1 April. Beers covered by the freeze include Bombardier and Young's Special.

The company said it had also absorbed price increases for a number of other popular third-party lines, and would be capping increases for these at 2% as a result.

Peter Wells, sales and marketing director at Charles Wells, said: "We remain close to our licensees and are working with them to provide the practical support they need whilst confidence in the economy is low."

Charles Wells is also backing the Axe the Beer Tax campaign in an attempt to win a reduction in beer duty from the Chancellor Alistair Darling.

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By Chris Druce

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