The Pubs Code giving tied pub tenants more rights and
protections reaches its first anniversary today. Paul
Newby, the Pubs Code Adjudicator, said: “Today is a major
milestone for this new law which has brought significant
change to the pubs sector.
“Parliament has given new rights to tied pub tenants of
the largest pub-owning businesses. Over the past 12
months interest in the Code has been high and I am
pleased that tenants have been exercising their rights.
“As the first PCA, it is my responsibility to ensure that
the Code delivers its important rights and protections
for tied tenants. I am committed to providing fair,
accurate and timely information to tenants about their
Code rights, and access to effective and impartial
redress when things go wrong.
“At all times I have gone, and will go, where the
evidence takes me when arbitrating, investigating and
enforcing the Code.
“Today I have published on the PCA website my
first annual
report covering the initial nine months of
operation. This describes among other activities the work
to set up the PCA office, engagement with tenants and
other stakeholders, and progress on arbitrations up to 31
March.
“On Wednesday I will be publishing updated figures
showing the impact of the Pubs Code over the past year.
This release will include information on the number of
enquiries received by the PCA Enquiry Line over the past
year and the number of cases referred to the PCA for
arbitration. For the first time I will indicate the
proportion of referrals that relate to each pub-owning
business as the figures have now reached a point where I
am satisfied we can protect the confidentiality of
individual cases.
“This first-year data contains significant figures and
shows the sector is engaging robustly with the new law.
“I know that there are concerns within the tenant
community about the way the Code has operated and some
frustration over the time that arbitrations can take to
resolve. But the PCA must deal with all cases in an
impartial and lawful manner. To do otherwise would simply
increase the risk of legal challenge with the inevitable
consequence of greater delay and cost.
“But as that new law beds in, cases are completed and key
issues determined, I am confident that I will be able to
report further progress in the coming year.
“Year 2 of the Code will be another busy year, but I am
convinced that it will also be when the Pubs Code comes
into its own and demonstrates the tangible benefits and
real options it gives to tied tenants.”
