Petition aims to keep Totternhoe pub landlords

The petition was started by a customer, Jeannie O’Brien, because she believes an increase in rent by the Brewery, Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C., is forcing the couple out of the pub.

Jeannie said: “We wanted to start a petition to keep Julie and Tom as the landlords.

“I never thought we would get this many signatures, we now have over 1000, I thought we would maybe get 100, I didn’t expect that many.

“They have done it all themselves, they have transformed it, especially the garden, it was a right mess before, now it is lovely.

“They are lovely landlords and we want them to stay, they have done a great job.”

Pub landlord, Julie, said: “The petition was started by one of our customers. We appreciate the support and have been overwhelmed with the positive comments we have received.

“But we have told our customers it is not black and white and we do not want Fuller’s to be portrayed in a negative way, we are in negotiations with them.”

A spokesperson for Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC added: “We are aware of the petition and are a bit surprised as we don’t want Thomas and Julie to leave either. We understand there are a number of factors that have contributed to their decision to move on.

“However, we want to work with Thomas and Julie to see if we can persuade them to stay.

“They have done a great job at the pub and we’re not surprised their customers don’t want to lose them. Let’s hope they get great support for their coming beer festival and that we can successfully pull together for the benefit of our tenants, their customers, Fuller’s and the pub.”

To view the petition, see here.