Pub tenants tell CAMRA that the Pubs Code is failing

For more information, contact press@camra.org.uk or call 01727 337 863

A survey of over 400 tied pub tenants has revealed significant failures in the Pubs Code, which governs the relationship between tenants and large pub-owning companies.

75% of tenants reported that they don’t think they are treated fairly and lawfully by their parent pub companies, whilst 73% felt that they were worse off than a free of tie tenant.

Furthermore, one in five tenants who have legal rights under the Code was completely unaware of the Market Rent Only option – an important component of the legislation that allows them to buy beer on the open market at the point of their contract renewal.

Nik Antona, CAMRA National Chairman said: “We wanted to gain an accurate picture of the views of tied licensees in England and Wales. The Pubs Code Adjudicator currently relies on pub companies to audit licensees opinions, which we believe has skewed responses.

“It’s clear from our survey of licensees that there are significant failures with the current Pubs Code, which make it much more difficult than it should be for tenants to raise and resolve disputes with their Pub Companies.

“CAMRA campaigned for nearly a decade for a Pubs Code to be put in place, but our survey reveals it is currently failing tenants. We hope that this piece of research will pave the way for serious reform to make the Pubs Code fit for purpose and deliver for tenants.

“With a new Prime Minister and Cabinet, the ongoing Review is the first chance for the new Government to show that they will be taking positive action to support tied pub tenants and consumer choice.”

The results of CAMRA’s survey will now be submitted to the Government as part of the statutory review of the Pubs Code and Adjudicator.

Notes to editors

CAMRA’s licensee survey was conducted from 25 June – 17 July 2019. The results of which will be submitted to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to feed into the statutory review of the Pubs Code and Adjudicator, which closed on 22 July.

CAMRA’s full response to the BEIS consultation can be downloaded here: https://camra.org.uk/campaign_resources/policy-submission-to-the-pubs-code-and-adjudicator-statutory-review/