UNPOPULAR DECISION ON REMOVING HARVEYS

A petition on the bar, rapidly filling up with signatures, registers strong objection to the move.

Said regular John May: 'The Lewes Arms has been selling beer since about 1720.

'Taken over from Beards some time back by Greene King '“ the Suffolk-based brewers '“ there has been a steady pressure to change many of the elements that make the pub what it is.

'Now they want to take away the Harveys. This is getting serious.

'The Lewes Arms is, by any measure, a successful pub.

'So what can Greene King's motive be for banning the home brew?

'Surely, even if it is another brewer's product, if it's making money for you, what's the problem?

'GK are introducing their own ale, called the "Lewes Arms'' but they must be delusional if they expect seasoned Harvey's drinkers to swap over to a lesser brew.'

And he added: 'The Lewes Arms is an important community pub, full of life and laughter, which serves a great beer that everybody likes '“ Harveys.

It is clear that, if they continue to insist with this misguided strategy, then a substantial number of our little community will be scattered to the winds and the welcoming arms of other establishments around the town.

'GK should leave the Lewes Arms and its Harveys alone.'

Said Kris Gumbrell, Greene King operations director: 'We are committed to all our pubs having a great range of cask ales and, of course, you would expect us to want to serve our own award-winning quality ales in our own pubs.

'We are very proud of our premium beers and we are confident our plans for further investment in the pub will enable our customers to continue to enjoy the warm welcome offered by the Lewes Arms.'

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Here's what readers are saying:

Greene King ought to realise when they are on a loser here. They may be enormous and they may be able to take over (and close) other breweries.

But they will never have a range of beers as superb as that of Harveys and their beers will never inspire such a devoted following.

Although living 100-plus miles from Lewes, I am familiar with the Lewes Arms (and several other Harveys houses in the town), owing to my many 'pilgrimages' to Harveys brewery shop to stock up on their fantastic beers.

There is no brewer whose beers come remotely close to the quality and variety of those made by Harveys and the owners of the Lewes Arms ignore this at their peril.

Hugh Madgin, Stevenage

Greene King must be pea takers if they think that pea throwing, spaniel racing and Dwyle Flunking will continue after they've ripped the heart out one of the best pubs in the world.via text

Greene King must be jealous that Harveys have won the Champion Best Bitter of Britain two years in a row. They can't do it, so they remove the beer.

They have a fight on their hands - so stand up people of Lewes and show what you are made of - we won't be druv!Simon smewing - Via email

On the harveys/greene king matter. I think it's horrific that a faceless company like greene king think that the customers of the LA will take this lying down. It's got to be the worst business plan ever! And to put the young lady in there to take all the flack, it's like playground bullying! GH '“ via text