Pub told to stop serving local cider

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CALLS have been made to pub company Enterprise Inns to reconsider its decision to stop one of its Bromsgrove pubs from selling a locally brewed cider.

The request, relating to The Cross in Finstall, was made by the Redditch and Bromsgrove branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) after Enterprise told licensee David Neale that, because of a new agreement, he had to stop selling Tardebigge cider.

Mr Neale has been selling the popular beverage since taking over the pub four years ago.

He said: "My locals are really upset as they really enjoy locally produced cider and being made up the road draws people from far and wide into the pub, especially during the summer months.

"Enterprise cannot supply me with a real cider that is locally made and that is what my customers want."

CAMRA national director and Bromsgrove resident Brett Laniosh said the organisation fully supported Mr Neale and locals of the Cross.

He added he had written to Enterprise Inns, asking the firm to reconsider its decision.

“It is madness a small Worcestershire producer is unable to supply a traditional drink to a local pub.

"We share the frustration of the licensee and locals who cannot believe why a pub company would want to take a popular product out of a pub that was attracting more customers.

“We should be supporting successful, local businesses which offer products that do not need to be transported across the country.

"It makes environmental sense and it makes business sense.

"Isn’t that what David Cameron’s Big Society is supposed to be about?”

A spokesperson for Enterprise Inns said: "We have received an enquiry from Brett Laniosh, which we are responding to directly."