LIVID landlords have reluctantly agreed to have controversial "spy" machines fitted in their pubs to monitor the sale of beer.

The move by Thwaites came after the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations sought legal advice to fight the move, claiming it was a "gross intrusion of privacy".

The machines, known as floor meters, will provide a computer link from three Blackburn pubs, via a telephone line, to the brewery.

The machines have been fitted at the Fox and Hounds at Ewood, the Station Hotel, Cherry Tree and the Lord Raglan, King's Road.

Blackburn Licensed Victuallers' Association secretary Geoff Sutcliffe said the floor meters had been fitted against the wishes of the tenants.

He said legal advice had been sought by the LVA Federation which had indicated that it was within the rights of Thwaites to have the machines fitted. The floor meters are also known as electronic dispense information systems - although landlords commonly refer to them as spy machines.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "We wrote to the brewery because we had reservations about the floor meters and we believed they would be an intrusion of privacy.

"Floor meters are supposed to monitor the amount of draught beer being sold, but they don't take into account the number of bottles and spirits which are sold.

"They have been fitted against the wishes of the tenants."

A Thwaites spokesman said the floor meters were being put on trial in East Lancashire and five other areas of the country.

He said the three Blackburn pubs had been selected at random and there was no hidden agenda.

He said: "We are anxious to ensure high levels of efficiency and profitability to both our tenants and the brewery.

"There is no secrecy here whatsoever or hidden agenda and we will happily supply the information generated to our tenants."

He said the machines offered many benefits, including the monitoring of bar fonts and help in staffing and rotas.

"We live in a technological age when information is king and in business you can never have too much information."

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