Pub tenant hits out at tribunal ruling (From Western Telegraph)

Pub tenant hits out at tribunal ruling

The tenant of a Pembrokeshire pub has criticised a tribunal ruling which found him guilty of unfairly dismissing two members of staff.

As reported in last week's Western Telegraph, Paul Johnson was ordered to pay more than £12,000 compensation to the former landlord of the Royal Oak, Fishguard. The tribunal panel found he had breached TUPE rules governing transfer of employment in relation to Dave and Rose Williams.

Although Mr Johnson is currently out of the country, he expressed his concern at the tribunal ruling through his family.

His son-in-law, Carwyn Thomas, said Mr Johnson had been fully aware of his responsibility to existing staff. "Mr Johnson had worked very hard in gaining his tenancy from Brains Brewery and, being a local, hardworking, honest businessman, intended running the pub himself, as most people in this situation would do,'' said Mr Thomas, of Station Road, Letterston.

"It was, therefore, impossible to make Mr Williams the landlord as that was the position which Mr Johnson would undertake himself.''

He acknowledged that the ruling was unlikely to be overturned but questioned the law which, in his opinion, failed to recognise individual situations. "Surely there are situations, such as this one relating to tenancy agreements, which deserve special consideration,'' added Mr Thomas.