Statutory code: Greg Mulholland paves way for free-of-tie amendment

The Fair Deal for Your Local campaigner, who is currently on a charity trek in Ecuador, gave qualified support to the pubco reform plans but said it was “vital” the free-of-tie option was mandatory.

The Government’s report, published this morning, said that option, “would have been likely to cause a high degree of uncertainty in the industry, with a likely negative impact on investment and the possibility that several pub owning companies would abandon the tied market”.

However, Mulholland said the full extent of reforms called for by Fair Deal for Your Local was now “within reach”.

He said: “I broadly welcome the announcement and know that many publicans around the country will be delighted by the reforms proposed by the Department for Business, Innovation Skills (BIS). I particularly welcome the fact that the reforms are based on the principle of fair dealing and the principle that ‘a tied tenant should be no worse off than a free-of-tie tenant’. 

“The proposed reforms are a huge win for campaigners and tied tenants, and all the reform needed is now within reach. It is vital government goes further and makes the free-of-tie option mandatory. This is what came out of last April’s consultation, and has been called for by the House of Commons BIS Select Committee, the Federation of Small Businesses, and many other pub sector groups.”

Stop Press! Tenants can now attend the Tenanted Pub Company Summit at half price (£198 + VAT per place).​

What will the statutory code mean for you? Get informed. Be part of the debate. Next Thursday, June 12 at The Landmark, London. Limited places available. www.tenantedpubcompanysummit.co.uk​