Storer68
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Furious regulars are set to boycott their pub in protest at a brewery's decision to stop selling a traditional Sussex ale.
Suffolk brewery Greene King triggered outrage by deciding to stop serving Harveys Best Bitter at the Lewes Arms after Christmas in favour of its own ales.
A public meeting was called last night at the historic pub in Mount Close, Lewes, and more than 80 angry regulars agreed to boycott the pub if the decision was not reversed.
Campaigner John May, of Friends of the Lewes Arms, said: "The campaign to keep Harveys at the pub will continue and it is quite simple: if the pub doesn't sell Harveys people will be forced to go elsewhere.
continued...
"The majority of people who drink regularly in the pub drink Harveys. It has been voted the best bitter in Britain and we don't see why Greene King should want to remove it and destroy a community pub like this.
"Already a lot of the societies and associations which meet at the pub are considering their position and a boycott is unavoidable unless some sort of compromise is reached."
Pub regular Meic Goodyear, of nearby St John's Terrace, said: "It is very noticeable in Lewes that the pubs which sell Harveys stay open and those which don't invariably do not. A boycott is the natural progression - if they can't drink Harvey's people will not go there.
"The Lewes Arms is a big part of the community and holds many events, so some people may choose to continue drinking there but will boycott the Greene King ales.
"However, all is not lost and we will fight on in the hope that common sense will prevail."
The Lewes Arms has been selling locally-produced ale for more than 200 years and about 80 per cent of cask beer sold at the pub is Harveys Best.
A 1,200-strong petition is due to be handed to Greene King bosses by Lewes MP Norman Baker today, after he threw his support behind the campaign.
Last night, Mr Baker said the company was not returning his calls to confirm the appointment.
He said: "I can understand why Greene King wants to sell its own beer but not at the cost of taking away the choice of drinking Harveys.
"Harveys is brewed in Lewes and is part of the town's history, taking it away from these regulars is striking at their community values.
"I think it is a short-sighted move.
"The short term gain for Greene King will be nothing compared to the long-term damage done and I believe they are making the wrong call.
"They are not being very receptive and are doing exactly what a big company like that should not do, burying their heads in the sand."
Yesterday Greene King could not be reached for a comment.
8:36am today
Suffolk brewery Greene King triggered outrage by deciding to stop serving Harveys Best Bitter at the Lewes Arms after Christmas in favour of its own ales.
A public meeting was called last night at the historic pub in Mount Close, Lewes, and more than 80 angry regulars agreed to boycott the pub if the decision was not reversed.
Campaigner John May, of Friends of the Lewes Arms, said: "The campaign to keep Harveys at the pub will continue and it is quite simple: if the pub doesn't sell Harveys people will be forced to go elsewhere.
continued...
"The majority of people who drink regularly in the pub drink Harveys. It has been voted the best bitter in Britain and we don't see why Greene King should want to remove it and destroy a community pub like this.
"Already a lot of the societies and associations which meet at the pub are considering their position and a boycott is unavoidable unless some sort of compromise is reached."
Pub regular Meic Goodyear, of nearby St John's Terrace, said: "It is very noticeable in Lewes that the pubs which sell Harveys stay open and those which don't invariably do not. A boycott is the natural progression - if they can't drink Harvey's people will not go there.
"The Lewes Arms is a big part of the community and holds many events, so some people may choose to continue drinking there but will boycott the Greene King ales.
"However, all is not lost and we will fight on in the hope that common sense will prevail."
The Lewes Arms has been selling locally-produced ale for more than 200 years and about 80 per cent of cask beer sold at the pub is Harveys Best.
A 1,200-strong petition is due to be handed to Greene King bosses by Lewes MP Norman Baker today, after he threw his support behind the campaign.
Last night, Mr Baker said the company was not returning his calls to confirm the appointment.
He said: "I can understand why Greene King wants to sell its own beer but not at the cost of taking away the choice of drinking Harveys.
"Harveys is brewed in Lewes and is part of the town's history, taking it away from these regulars is striking at their community values.
"I think it is a short-sighted move.
"The short term gain for Greene King will be nothing compared to the long-term damage done and I believe they are making the wrong call.
"They are not being very receptive and are doing exactly what a big company like that should not do, burying their heads in the sand."
Yesterday Greene King could not be reached for a comment.
8:36am today
