I've heard from one of his ex-landlords that he's a complete bastard. He's been known to walk into pubs unannounced and if he doesn't like what he sees to fire the landlord with no notice. I believe several have tried to take him to court. He doesn't give a stuff whether people drink in his pubs or not - he owns millions of pounds worth of property, including a large tract of Thames river frontage near Canary Wharf. I won't go into a Sam Smiths pub on priciple, much as I like the beer.