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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Alan Weston

'Shameful' brewery slammed for turfing family out of pub

Readers reacted with sympathy to a family who were evicted from a Merseyside pub with just a week's notice.

Gemma Maverick and husband Nathan only took over The Wellington pub in Hale Village in mid-May, and moved into the accommodation provided with three of Gemma's children. However, after 10 weeks they were told to pack their bags and move out by pub chain Marston's.

The brewery said they were forced to act because the pub's takings were significantly down. The couple said they ended up living for two days in a tent at a farmer's field near Shrewsbury, while the three children who lived with them - aged 11, 13 and 15 - were scattered around various addresses.

READ MORE : Murder victim, 22, named after being shot dead in Dingle

Gemma, 39, said: "We gave up a four-bedroom house in Wrexham we rented for a new start and a new life. We have worked our butts off but then were told by the brewery, 'we've got some bad news, you're being given notice.' We were given a week to clear out of the pub. I've been crying my eyes out for days."

A spokesperson for Marston's said: "We are disappointed it didn't work out for the previous licensees at the Wellington. We never take these decisions lightly. However, in this instance it is the right decision for the Hale community and for us as the pub's owners."

These were some of the comments by ECHO readers after we ran the story yesterday (Thursday).

Sue Parry said: "It's been awful watching them go through this. I worry for the new family who have taken over. They seem lovely too."

Graeme Pryce said: "This is why I always try to support local pubs owned independently, rather than these ones owned by a brewery."

Harkin Markmark said: "Unfortunately, breweries are very cut throat. Just care about profit."

Sophie Taylor said: "Thought those days are long gone, it's such a shame."

mummytoo2 said: "Shame on the brewery, they should hang their heads, could have had the decency to let them stay until a home was found."

Another said: "Shameful to turf a family out after such a short period, they're a massive brewery and could have re-accommodated until they found somewhere to live together."

anita67 said: "I hope you find something better soon. It's disgusting that they turfed you out with just a week's notice when you have kids."

Xlisax said: "Hope it all ends well for you and your family. Look at it this way, you are better off out of there."

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