CAMRA comments on Stonegate buyout of Ei Group

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Following the news that Stonegate has bought out the Ei Group, please find below a comment from the Campaign for Real Ale.

Ben Wilkinson, CAMRA’s National Director said: “For many EIG has become a byword for unfair business practices and disregard for the social value of pubs. Its custodianship of thousands of community pubs has not been a happy period and it’s clear many will welcome this news. However, such a significant change will create anxiety and we call on Stonegate to be clear and open about their plans as early as possible.

“This deal will make Stonegate the largest pub owner in the UK, and that brings a huge responsibility both to consumers and to their tenants. We hope Stonegate seizes this opportunity to make a firm commitment to adhere to the spirit and letter of the Pubs Code and spearhead a new, more positive era in the industry by setting a gold standard for thriving pubs based on fair and equitable business practices.”