A COUPLE running a pub on a housing estate in Beverley claim they have been given just five days to quit their business, leaving them without a home or livelihood.
David and Gill Turner took over the running of The Lincoln Arms in Lincoln Way in January and had been trying to turn the pub into a family-friendly environment.
The couple say pub owners Punch Taverns called them on Friday telling them they had to be out of the pub by noon today.
Mrs Turner, 53, said: "The pub had a very bad reputation in the past, but we tried to change this when we took over.
"We completely gutted the place, got new furniture and started doing food.
"Business was really picking up, with many people saying it was the busiest they had seen the pub for a long time.
"We wanted everyone on the estate to be involved with the pub.
"We had a notice on the wall saying 'Come in as a stranger, leave as a friend', this is what we really wanted.
"The way we have been treated is disgusting, especially when we have invested so much of our time, money and effort into the place.
"It was our livelihood and we just wanted to be given the chance to make this pub a real success.
"We asked Punch Taverns if we could stay in the flat above the pub until we had found somewhere to stay but they said that wasn't possible."
Mr and Mrs Turner, originally from Tickton, have since been busy clearing the pub of their belongings and canceling bookings planned for later this year.
Mrs Turner said: "We had a big fun day planned for Father's Day on Sunday.
"We had already booked the entertainment, we had food reservations and now everything will have to be cancelled.
"We also had christening and engagement parties booked which we have had to cancel."
The couple will stay with friends until they have found a new home to rent in Beverley.
They are also looking at running a new pub in Anlaby.
Mr Turner said: "This has not put us off wanting to run pubs in the future.
"We enjoy the pub trade and work hard.
"We are just sad we weren't given the chance to make The Lincoln Arms the success it could have been."
Rumours had been circulating in the area that Punch Taverns has sold the land to Tesco, however this could not be confirmed or denied by the company.
A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: "The current licensees will be leaving the pub on June 11, due to a breach of contract.
"The pub will be shut temporarily and our priority is to reopen with a new licensee as soon as possible."
Thanks for supportDavid and Gill Turner took the the pub's Facebook page to thank customers.
They wrote: "Punch Taverns rang us and gave us days to leave as the pub has been sold to turn into something else.
"We want to take this time to thank everyone for their support and we have had a fantastic time getting to know you all.
"We were hoping to make this pub into something big but it seems Punch Taverns has other ideas."
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