Punch promises to bed in retail code

Punch Taverns has promised to take steps to ensure its staff adhere to its updated code of practice between the tenant and pubco.

Two weeks ago the MA revealed that Punch's retail charter was among the four codes of practice to receive a BII Benchmarking & Accreditation Services (BIIAB) stamp for its clarity.

Punch has now announced that it will hold events this month to ensure business relationship managers (BRMs) and other employees understand and stick by the terms of the charter.

Activities will range from staff briefings on improvements to the charter to quizzes for retailer support teams and BRMs.

Information will be included on posters at Punch head office and on weekly news bulletins and online.

Existing Punch licensees have been sent information on the updated charter and Punch said that all in-coming hosts will be introduced to the charter during their induction.

Punch said charters will also be made available to potential licensees and can be downloaded from the company's website.

The updated retail charter includes more detail on areas such as the process of rent negotiation, the beer tie and the BRM/licensee relationship. It received the BIIAB stamp following an examination by a committee of independent trade experts and licensees.

Punch head of communications Nicola Highton said: "We are extremely proud to reach this standard and hope that it will give users that extra degree of confidence and security when referring to the charter.

"However, the concept only really works when

everyone in the organisation - retailers and employees alike - embraces it and abides by its contents.

"We are running several events in April to bring the charter to life and will revisit them on a regular basis to keep the momentum going."