Publican tells James O'Brien of his life-changing predicament after landlord refuses to lower rent

31 March 2020, 14:14

Pub landlord opens up about life-changing decision he's faced with

By Fiona Jones

This pub landlord told James O'Brien about the life-changing decision he'd have to make after the pub company have refused to lower his rent during the pandemic.

James in Pickering said he was hit with a "stark choice" the day after the Chancellor's rescue package for businesses was announced.

His landlord told him that as James was eligible to a package, and has access to a £25,000 loan on top of that, he must keep paying his rent which will be reviewed in three months.

"My choice is: do I pack my bags today, put my keys through the letterbox and take up one of the offers I've had from friends and colleagues of spare rooms... or do I build a big debt at my age in my sixties?

"Do I borrow £25,000, have to make a personal guarantee against it and pay 20% interest that my bank's asking me to pay, take the package and pay my rent for three months, get deeper in debt or pack my bags tomorrow, James?"

James pointed out that if he puts the keys through the letterbox tomorrow, he's "on the hook" for the lease still.

Chancellor set out a package for pubs, clubs and restaurants
Chancellor set out a package for pubs, clubs and restaurants. Picture: PA

"I'm sitting here and I'm going to lose my business and my home," said James, "and I really do appreciate what the Chancellor's done...but he's doing it for the wrong people. He's doing it for the companies who are going to benefit here, not the landlords."

The landlord continued that he'd have to find a new house and during this lockdown people are obviously not allowed to move house.

Locals who visit his pub have even offered him money to help him in this life-changing decision.

"The punters do understand what's going on, it's the government who don't understand that the pub companies and pub owners operate. We're the landlords, we sell a pint, we might get 90p back and the punters are paying £4 or £5 - they think I'm making that £5."

LBC's James asked the publican what he was going to do and he said he was leaning towards putting the keys through the letterbox, being in his 60s.

"This was my exit plan, my pension. I can see it all going up in smoke," he said.

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

'Vance saw Francis... we might be onto something'

LBC caller jokes that JD Vance's visit to the late pope might've paved the way for an American pope

"Things have to get a little bit dirty"

Caller Alexander thinks that "things have to get dirty" to stop Reform

'They've alienated every single subsection of society'

Caller Phil ruthlessly describes a Labour Party that 'doesn't appeal to anyone'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien and listeners with her analysis of the 'new world order'

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her analysis of the 'new world order'

Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

LBC callers: Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food

LBC callers give their reaction to findings that 20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel betrayed by America

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel 'betrayed' by America

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her take on the state of the West

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her take on the state of the West

James O'Brien

Caller John: 'The best way to understand Trump tariffs is Red Dwarf'

James O'Brien

James O'Brien challenges caller to provide evidence of Israeli accountability

James O'Brien

LBC callers share landlord horror stories

Man whose parents were murdered by Hamas on October 7 says: We are on precipice of global war— Peace is possible.

Man whose parents were murdered by Hamas on October 7 says: We are on precipice of global war— Peace is possible