A WARWICKSHIRE pub landlord has said the reaction to a sign he placed in his window threatening to name and shame people that owe him money has been “largely positive”.
Kevin Murphy, 51, who has run Murphy’s Bar in Royal Leamington Spa since 1991, faces the prospect of being £10,000 out of pocket after he recently received a surprise tax bill.
Now, Mr Murphy, whose father hails from Limerick, is trying to recoup a similar amount that he has generously lent people over the years.
“So far it’s all been positive,” he told The Irish Post. “Quite a few people have seen the sign and come forward to say they will pay me. They’ve apologised and said ‘sorry, we know we owe you money.’”
Mr Murphy intended on taking out an advert with a local paper in order to bring his plight to the attention of the community in Leamington Spa, but after being refused, he took matters into his own hands.
He explained that whilst he appreciates the efforts of those who have contacted him with proposals of payment plans to resolve their debts, he’s urging those who have not yet come forward to do so.
“The goal posts have changed slightly, and I need the money back now, really. There’s an August 1 deadline, so hopefully people will contact me.
“I don’t mind if they want to pay me in weekly or monthly instalments, I’ve told people that as long as they acknowledge the debt, I’m happy to accept payments when they can afford it.”
So far, one individual has agreed to pay Mr Murphy back £25 per month for the next three years in order to clear his debt.
One of the largest sums owed to him to date is £1,800, a debt incurred when he had prev-iously worked for another pub in the area.
The longest-running IOU was agreed over seven years ago, and it’s these “older” debts that Mr Murphy is finding harder to recover.
He is serious about the August 1 deadline, and due to a diarised list of money owed to him that he has kept over the years, he is well prepared to name and shame those who haven’t contacted him by then.
“I’ll post a sign with names on the window for a few weeks if certain people haven’t called. I see some of those that owe me money walking around town.”
The pub owner is also unafraid to burn bridges in the process.
“Abusing hospitality is a bad thing, and at the end of the day you should pay your debts.
“I’ve nothing to lose.”
See More: Debts, Featured, Pub Landlord, Warwickshire
