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Commenting on the Pubs Code Adjudicator’s call for pub companies to demonstrate how they are supporting their tenants during the COVID-19 crisis, CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said:
“This is a timely and encouraging intervention from the Pubs Code Adjudicator.
“From the outset of the COVID-19 crisis, CAMRA has called on pub companies to do the right thing and cancel rents. Admiral Taverns, and other smaller pub companies, have listened to tenants and pub–goers and have cancelled rent for their tenants.
“The rest of the big six pubcos should be following Admiral’s example. Deferring rent collection simply isn’t enough – the pub industry is facing unprecedented challenges and the survival of the trade as we know it is at stake.
“Pub companies pushed for the industry standard model that rents are based on turnover. As we have consistently pointed out, this means that closed pubs should not be having any rent levied on them at this time. Pubcos cannot have it both ways, and Ei Group, Punch, Greene King, Star and Marstons need to follow Admiral’s example immediately and cancel rent.”
At the time of release, CAMRA has found the following statements from the six regulated pub companies on rent collection:
- Admiral Taverns have cancelled rent for their tenants.
- Ei Group, Punch, Greene King and Star Pubs and Bars have suspended rent collection but have not cancelled rents.
- Marstons are suspending rent collection on a case by case basis
Notes to Editor:
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is a not-for-profit consumer group with over 192,000 members that has been operating since 1971. Our vision is to have quality real ale and thriving pubs in every community.
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