PUB licensees in Hampshire claim they have been kicked out after a disagreement with the owners.

Reginald Chester-Sterne and his wife Alison say they have been evicted from the Royal Oak pub at Hill Top in Beaulieu after running it for seven years.

All 18 members of staff have also been made redundant.

The couple have blamed a disagreement with pub owners Enterprise Inns about extending the lease and now face a £47,000 bill for repair work.

Enterprise Inns says it is seeking new licensees for the pub, which shut earlier this month.

Mr Chester-Sterne said the disagreement started when their 20-year lease, which they had taken over from the previous owners, was nearly up and they wanted to extend it for a minimum of 15 years but Enterprise Inns did not agree.

“I then sent them a letter through my solicitor which is what you’re legally supposed to do saying that we had six months to come to an agreement otherwise it would have to go to court,” he said.

When the six months was almost up Mr Chester-Sterne said he was contacted by the company to say they suggested he got a surveyor in to check the property.

The couple, who also run Norris and Sons animal food merchants in Beaulieu, claim a full survey of the pub was done by Enterprise Inns late last year and revealed no major problems.

But after Mr Chester-Sterne had another survey in January this year it revealed a “catalogue of problems”.

Mr Chester-Sterne said: “The bill which they have given me includes £2,000 for repair and maintenance of the car park which they don’t even own, £6,000 for an extractor which they say is inoperative but actually works perfectly, and they have condemned the gas system – but Calor Gas say there is no problem with it.”

Mr Chester-Sterne was then forced to order his own survey of the pub, costing £1,500 in a bid to fight the Enterprise Inns bill.

Daily Echo: Alison Chester-Stern, second from left

He added: “I have always adhered very strictly to the terms and conditions of my lease from the start so I was completely shocked when I received the most recent dilapidation. We were then taken to court and they said they wouldn’t give me a lease like that, but I couldn’t do anything with a five-year lease and now we are being evicted.”

The couple’s lease with Enterprise Inns was a full repair and maintenance agreement – making them responsible for the physical upkeep of the building.

“It’s very sad and quite disheartening really. I feel very sad for the staff – they have worked hard with us and we’ve seen a lot of them since do very well in the industry and my wife is really upset by it all. I would also like to express my thanks to all our loyal customers.”

The Royal Oak is now on the market with Enterprise Inns, who are charging an annual rent of £40,000.

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: “The publican’s lease at the Royal Oak expired and he is due to leave the pub early next week. As a result, and in line with his lease obligations, we served a schedule of dilapidations.

“In producing this, an error was made concerning the car park, something that has been acknowledged, and the schedule revised to reflect this.”