Hundreds of Scottish publicans are set to gain new statutory
protection, with MSPs expected to pass Neil Bibby’s Tied Pubs
Bill tonight.
Tied pubs are owned by pub-owning companies and large breweries,
with tenants required to buy beer from the brewer at big
mark-ups.
Neil Bibby’s Bill creates a statutory code and independent
adjudicator to regulate those companies and stop publicans from
being exploited.
It has been supported by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association,
the Campaign for Real Ale, FSB Scotland, GMB Scotland, the STUC,
the Campaign for Pubs, the British Pub Confederation and the Pubs
Advisory Service.
The Bill was backed by all parties in the Scottish Parliament at
Stage One, with support from the Scottish Government.
said:
“For too long global brewing giants and big pub-owning businesses
have been unregulated in Scotland and their tenants have gone
without the protection of a statutory Pubs Code. Now that’s set
to change.
“Progressive new pub laws can protect tied pub tenants with a
statutory Code to regulate pub-owning companies and new rights
for publicans working hard to do what’s best for their business.
“Keeping more of the profit pubs make in the Scottish economy
supports jobs in our pub and brewing industries and helps tied
tenants make a decent living. That’s what this Bill is all about.
With a statutory Code we can act to curb unfair business
practices by pub-owning landlords and deliver a better deal for
publicans, consumers and Scotland’s brewers.
“The past year has been an enormously difficult time for the pub
and hospitality trades and I believe this Bill can help the
sector build back after the Covid crisis. I look forward to
continued engagement with the Scottish Government to take forward
the important work of tied pub reform in Scotland.”
SLTA spokesperson Paul Waterson
said:
“It’s simply not fair that large pub-owning businesses can
restrict pub tenants to buying beer at vastly inflated prices and
force so many to live in virtual poverty.”
“As the bill progresses into law we look forward to engaging
constructively and positively with Scottish Government and all
other stakeholders while the code is developed.
CAMRA Scotland’s Director, Joe Crawford said:
“This represents a landmark moment for tied tenants across
Scotland, and our members have lobbied hard to ensure their MSPs
understood just how important this Bill is to consumers.
“The Bill will help ensure that those running tied pubs are
treated fairly, can earn a decent living and can build back
better after the crisis.
“We welcome this turning point for the rights of tied tenants
across Scotland and look forward to working with the Adjudicator
in future.”
