PUBLICANS in Ramsbottom have taken their fight against a pub company to Parliament.

Samantha and Christian Gibbs have been served a notice to quit The Major, in Bolton Road by Stonegate.

Bury North MP James Daly has condemned the “undeniable failure of the Pubs Code to stop unfair business practices that are continuing against tied tenants in public houses throughout the country.

He told the Commons: “A clear example of this is the experience of Christian and Samantha Gibbs, the current tenants of The Major in Ramsbottom. Despite not owing a penny to their landlord Stonegate and running a fantastic community pub, they have been given notice that their tenancy will be brought to and end, which in my view is a clear breach of the fairness principle within the Pubs Code.”

Later Samantha said: “Mr Daly has taken on this challenge of bringing it to Parliament and I think his support could be a real force for change. We could not have asked for more from him. He has gone above and beyond.

“The main thing is that even if there is no change, this will not happen to others. This is a community pub and we are being treated unfairly for no reason."

"All we want is to be treated with some fairness and transparency."

This comes after a meeting took place at the pub in conjunction with the Foundation of British Pubs (FOBP), attended by regulars to discuss what can be done to prevent Samantha and her husband, Christian from being evicted.

When Samantha took over at The Major, she says it needed new pipes, wallpaper, fridges and carpets replaced, yet she was still able to draw in new customers and make the pub a success.

Bosses at Stonegate have confirmed they are on the lookout for new tenants.