The West End Development Company (Wedco) will kick out a tenant who has been in Dockyard for 33 years in order to build a brewery for the Frog & Onion pub.

Morris Pitcher, 57, was offered no alternative space for his business ? Morris? Body and Repair Shop.

Mr. Pitcher said his shop had been servicing all of the vehicles at Dockyard since 1972, when his father opened his shop in Dockyard?s victualling yard.

?Wedco said they have no room,? Mr. Pitcher said this week. ?I will have no way to make my livelihood.?

Mr. Pitcher said he had been working in Dockyard for over three decades, whereas the Frog & Onion pub had only been there for one.

?They messed me around,? he said. ?They are jeopardising my life.?

Although given notice by Wedco to be out by May 31, Mr. Pitcher said he wants to stay in his spot for as long as he can. ?I want to see something done properly for the small business man,? he said. ?I feel I want to make sure I can stay there. I want something in writing. If I can stay there until September, or even November I would be happy.?

He said he was currently sharing storage space with Frog & Onion owner Carol West. However, Ms West wanted to take the whole area for her own business.

Mr. Pitcher admitted he had been in arrears in the past, but had now fully paid his rent to April.

Wedco?s Business Development Manager Ed Williams confirmed that the Frog & Onion pub had submitted a business plan. He said Wedco accepted the plan and granted permission for the move.

Wedco rents out property at the Dockyard to businesses and in order for any business to relocate, Wedco must agree as the lease-holders of the property.

?Frog & Onion always had the idea of expanding their function into that area,? Mr. Williams said.

In fact, he said there may be an even larger development project slated for the area of Mr. Pitcher?s shop, but he did not say what it was.

He said Mr. Pitcher had plenty of time to prepare to move from the premises since he had been on a month-to-month lease for the last six years.

?Wedco has been extremely fair,? he said.

However, only hours after spoke with Mr. Williams he told Mr. Pitcher not to talk to anyone about the move. ?Mr. Williams came down an hour ago and told me not to talk,? Mr. Pitcher said. ?He said, if the papers call you, get them to call me.?

Mr. Pitcher said he decided to talk because he was fed up with Wedco.

Mr. Williams yesterday explained that the reason he said this to Mr. Pitcher was because his tenant had told him he felt uncomfortable speaking with the Press.

?I was having a meeting near the Frog & Onion yesterday and stopped in to see him,? Mr. Williams said. ?He said he was having calls from the press and felt uncomfortable.?

Carol West, owner of the Frog & Onion pub, declined to comment when contacted.