'Regeneration? It's killing our pub's trade'

LICENSEES have asked Gordon Brown for help in addressing a slump in trade they say was triggered by regeneration.

Amanda Richardson and Craig Johnson say takings at the Globe Inn on Bucknall New Road have been down £1,500 a week since Renew North Staffordshire began clearing part of Hanley.

Their customer base has been destroyed as homeowners and businesses are moved out around them.

But the couple say Renew has still not said whether the pub, which is also home to them and their five children, is earmarked for demolition.

Mr Johnson, aged 40, said: "They have given us nothing. They haven't even given us a clue as to what is going on."

Money problems have become so tight that the couple have been working as relief managers in a pub in Leek to subsidise their own business, leaving their parents in charge in Hanley.

They say they cannot understand why they are still paying full business rates to a city council which is clearing their customers out of the area.

Mr Johnson added: "This recession is not going to do us any favours, but at the same time it is not going to make that much difference because things can't really get any worse."

He added that he did not expect a direct response after writing to the Prime Minister. But he felt drastic action was needed to provoke a reaction after numerous phone calls to the local authority drew a blank.

The couple have now pleaded with Renew to clarify what its plans are for the area and what impact these will have on the pub.

Mr Johnson added: "There is uncertainty over whether it will be knocked down.

"If it is going to be knocked down, just tell us and then we can start making plans for either leaving the area or finding somewhere to stay. If they gave a monkey's, they would have sorted it out quickly instead of this slow deterioration in the city."

Miss Richardson, aged 31, said: "I have rung the council and they said they would ring back, but I have still not had the call."

Brewery Scottish and Newcastle has confirmed it has also heard nothing of Renew's plans for the area.

A spokesman for Renew said today: "The normal process for the acquisition of properties in a development area is that formal letters and invitations to public events are sent to all owners and occupiers. The letters include an invitation to contact the District Valuer to discuss purchase of the property by the city council. 

"We start negotiations with the owners who contact us, then at a later stage we make a second approach to those who have not responded.  We have not yet written this second letter to the owners of the Globe Inn.  

"We originally sent letters to the former owners and tenants of the Globe Inn; we subsequently wrote to the new owners but at that time did not have information about new tenants.

"It is of course vital that the current tenants have all the relevant information, so we shall be in touch with them shortly. We apologise for the fact that their calls were not directed to the correct departments."