Enterprise chief bites back in Wetherspoons argument

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Tuppen was responding to JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin, who yesterday described Enterprise and Punch Taverns, his two biggest rivals, as "finished", and said Enterprise's prices were too high.

Enterprise today posted an 8% fall in income per pub, 6% drop in like-for-like beer sales and 7% rental revenue decline. Wetherspoon, meanwhile, reported a good Christmas with like-for-likes up 3.7%.

But Tuppen said his figures were "a good result for the current climate", and the rate of decline was "in line with expectations".

While Enterprise said it expected the coming months to be "very challenging", it claimed its balance sheet remained "robust" and it would be helping pubs to increase revenue in the coming year.

"There are so many other reasons for going to the pub than price. Quality, sense of community, and service are far more important for our pubgoers," said Tuppen. "We'll be spending £45 million helping licensees to develop new business. But we don't compete with Wetherspoons in many locations — and anyway, we think that if people want cheap beer and nothing else, they'll go to the supermarket."