Sir, – Further to last week’s Eating Out review of The Bridgewater Arms at Winston (D&S Weekend, April 12) and Greene King’s involvement in its demise, I would like to add the following.

Although Greene King is a plc with breweries and public houses, I would hope that the directors of a pubco would visit a pub atleast once a week, because if they don’t why should anyone else?

If directors don’t support a local pub once a week they should retire and let people who are passionate about the brewing industry and British pubs be appointed to the board.

I get the impression that some directors of pubcos and other people regard a pub as a “property in a car park” to be bought and sold with little regard that the premises is a public house offering beers and food to the local community.

Unrealistic rent increases on a viable business built up by a successful tenant often results in him or her having to leave, and as the the pub owner receives no income, there is bad will all round.

Meanwhile, the property deteriorates if empty and the customers eat and drink elsewhere with the next tenant having to start all over again to build up a viable business.

Crazy.

LINTON GAUNT Snape, Bedale.