Nine out of 10 pubco codes ready for deadline

Major pub companies should all have their codes of practices accredited by the end of the month, according to the BII.

The government set the industry a deadline of June 30 to update its codes of practice, following criticisms of the pubco model.

The BII Benchmarking and Accreditation Services (BIIBAS) is currently evaluating codes and, according to chief executive Neil Robertson, will have rubber-stamped 90 per cent by June 30.

He said: "We are making good progress and for all practical purposes we will meet the deadline. I am grateful for the amount of hard work people are putting in across the accreditation panel and I am glad to see so much innovation and improved transparency."

Companies including Punch Taverns, Fuller's, Charles Wells and Batemans have already had their codes approved. Others such as Marston's, Greene King and Enterprise are nearing accreditation.

Robertson accepted that some of the smaller brewers and pubcos might not make the deadline.

"I am confident because I think government will look at this and see the progress being made.

"The point is to get a better deal for tenants so we do not want to hit the target and miss the point," he said.

The BIIBAS scheme was tightened-up after it came in for criticism from MPs on the Business and Enterprise select committee investigating the pub industry.

The British Beer & Pub Association also updated its own framework code of practice which means all members must have their own codes approved under the BIIBAS scheme.

For more information visit www.biibas.com​