Bosses of a historic Manchester pub have appealed for the public's help as they face a battle to retain control. Licensee Alan Hudd and developer Mark West have run The Britons Protection for the last decade and attracted crowds of whisky and ale lovers.
The 210-year-old boozer stocks more than 360 whiskeys and changes its offering of local real ales on a regular basis. But Heineken-ran Star Pubs & Bars, which owns the Grade II-listed building, wants to add the city centre pub to it's "managed house portfolio" when the lease expires.
Currently, the Brits can stock all its own products - including the huge array of whiskeys from around the world - paying Star pubs rent for the building. However, new lease terms could mean that it would only be able to buy its products from Heineken suppliers, and Mr Hudd claims this would render the pub unrecognisable.
Speaking to the M.E.N, he said: “The BP is known for having 360 whiskeys, it’s one of our biggest draws and what people come to the BP for. If I have to buy all my whiskey through Heineken, there are about 15 on their books.
"They’re not going to start working with the local wholesalers I use, or the wholesalers in Scotland I use. Imagine walking into the pub, and not seeing all those whiskeys there?
“I can’t see Heineken opening accounts and working with all these people for the sake of one unit. So the whiskey USP will disappear. With cask beer, Heineken don’t work with local breweries, because they’re a massive chain.
“So again, you’ll walk in and there won’t be local beer, because they’re not going to start working with local breweries for the sake of one site. So the two main draws that bring people to my pub are going to be gone.”
The pub has appealed to regulars to join a campaign to try and stop this happening. It said in a post to Instagram: “We need your help! We are looking to get support from the local community to help us keep the Briton’s Protection the pub we know and love.
“Heineken (Star Pubs) have opted to take the pub back into their managed house portfolio. We now have to fight for renewal of our lease and stop them from taking the pub back. If they do it will not be the same Manchester institution as you know it. We have put 10 years of passion into maintaining what this pub is known for and doing it well.”
The iconic boozer, which has welcomed famous customers from Badly Drawn Boy to New York mayor Bill de Blasio over the years, battled to survive lockdowns.
In a statement, a representative for Star Pubs & Bars said: “Britons Protection is a beautiful, historic Manchester pub that appeals to both locals who love real ale and visitors looking to experience a traditional Mancunian Great British pub.
“We believe in its future and, now that the lease is coming to an end, we feel this is the ideal opportunity to review how the pub will be operated going forward to ensure its long-term sustainability.
“Britons Protection is the perfect fit for our Just Add Talent model, and we plan to build on the current offer whilst continuing to support the pub’s historic status and maintaining its focus on serving an interesting range of real ale and ciders.”
The pub is among the oldest in the city, and was once used as an army recruitment centre, from which it derives its name.
Philosopher Friedrich Engels was said to be a patron, while other more recent regulars have included the likes of New Order, Anthony Wilson and Guy Garvey. The recipient of many awards over the years, it won Best Pub in Manchester at the Pride of Manchester awards two years consecutively.
It's not the first time that the pub has faced adversity. Last year the owners objected to plans to build a 26-storey tower block on its adjoining wall.
Mark West, who also owns the City Arms, said he was 'dumbfounded' by the plans. He told the M.E.N : "We are vehemently opposed to it. It's just absolutely ludicrous. I'm worried this could mean the pub will cease to exist. I have had a meeting with the developers and made my feelings clear.
"We will lose all the light in our beer garden - and that's before you take into account the impact of two years of building work. And how the developer can say it will 'enhance' the Britons is beyond me."
The planning permission for the tower block is currently being considered.
Developer Arrowsmith Investment said in a statement: "At the heart of the design evolution has been the consideration of the Britons Protection and preserving its importance as an historic local landmark and a Grade II listed building. The Apex Tower proposals will enhance, rather than impact, the pub."
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