THE pub company (pubco) which owns The Queen Charlotte Inn has said its in ‘continued conversation’ with the publican who runs it after she revealed she is being ‘forced out’ but a 70 per cent rent hike.

As previously reported, Vicki Harber, who runs the popular pub on London Road, was told her rent would increase from £34,000 to £59,000 per year when her current tenancy ends in November, which the company claims is to cover necessary refurbishments.

She said: “I agree it needs the upgrade and the plans look really nice, but I don’t see why little old me should pay for it when Stonegate has got billions [of pounds] and I haven’t!”

She added that she has now had to take on a part-time job so that she will be able to make ends meet when her tenancy ends, and is having to search for a new place to live.

“They are kind of forcing me to leave, because I cannot live with that uncertainty. We are now having to work on the basis that, unless something drastic happens, we will be homeless on November 28.”

Now, pubco Stonegate has told the Advertiser that they are in ongoing communication with Vicki about the situation.

A spokesperson for Stonegate Group said: “The fixed-term tenancy agreement operated by Victoria Harber comes to an end this year, we are however in continued conversation with Victoria regarding the future of the pub and the investment required in the business to ensure improvements are made to enable an enhanced customer experience within this community pub.

“We would like to reassure customers that it is our intention that the Queen Charlotte remains a community pub that offers a number of facilities for the local community.”