Tenants in tied pubs are now entitled to greater protection following the introduction of a new code which has just come into effect.
The Pubs Code applies to businesses with 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales.
It provides new safeguards for around 12,000 tenants, including increased transparency about the tied deals available, a fair rent assessment and the right to move to a free-of-tie tenancy in certain circumstances.
The first ever Pubs Code Adjudicator, Paul Newby, will oversee the operation of the code and will arbitrate disputes and investigate breaches.
Business Minister Margot James said: “The Pubs Code will improve relationships across the industry and help tied tenants get a fairer deal. I want to take this opportunity to urge all tenants and pub companies to work with the Pubs Code Adjudicator, as well as one another, to do what’s best for Britain’s pubs.”
Pubs Code Adjudicator Paul Newby said: “I completely understand and appreciate that there are tied tenants out there struggling to make a living as a result of bad deals with their landlords.
This goes right to the heart of why the code really matters – it is about giving more rights to tenants who need to provide for their families and keeping thriving pubs open for local communities to enjoy.”
For more information about this article, please call Lionel Curry on 020 8907 2000 or click here to email him and he will be delighted to help you (there is no charge for an initial telephone discussion).