Pub managers and enthusiasts have been urged to spill the beans about abusive pub chains who critics claim are driving traditional public houses out of business, in an inquiry led by a West Midlands MP.

Adrian Bailey (Lab West Bromwich East) said pub companies had been given a “last chance” to get their house in order.

He chairs the Commons Business Committee, which is investigating whether pub companies, known as pubcos, have kept promises to clean up their act.

Critics claim the companies force pubs to buy beer at inflated prices and have hiked up rent on on properties.

Pubcos emerged after restrictions were placed on breweries running their own pubs.

The aim was to give drinkers more choice and allow independent pub operators a fairer chance of succeeding.

However pubcos took over some of the roles of the brewers, running large chains of pubs and buying beer in bulk to supply to them.

The Campaign for a Fair Pint, a body which represents pub managers, has urged members to write to the committee revealing their experiences with pubcos.

Mr Bailey said: “Our predecessor committee made clear that this was the last chance for the pub companies to ‘get their house in order’. Our inquiry intends to find out if they have.”

“The British pub is an important institution which not only provides a social meeting place but also plays an important cohesive function in many communities. We do not want to see any more pubs closing unnecessarily.”