SIBA: tied tenants should have right to sell a local beer

The trade body has called on the Government to introduce a new “guest beer right”, which would allow every pub to serve at least one beer from a small local brewery despite thousands of UK licensees being tied into contracts that force them to purchase all of their beer and other drinks from a single big brewery or pubco.

SIBA said the policy would help pubs attract more business, improve consumer choice and help local brewers who have been hit hard over recent years.

Review offers opportunity

SIBA chairman Roy Allkin said: “Pubgoers want to see more beer from small breweries sold in pubs and the review of the pubs code provides the opportunity for the Government to give tied pub tenants in England and Wales the same right to offer a guest beer as is being introduced in Scotland.

“Pub tenants should have the freedom to purchase a beer from a local small brewery, which would expand consumer choice and allow tenants to meet their customers’ expectations and compete more effectively with nearby freehouses.”

A second statutory review on the operation of the pubs code and the performance of the pubs code adjudicator is currently ongoing with the consultation closing on Wednesday 17 August. The pubs code came into force in 2016 with the aim of regulating the relationship between pub companies with more than 500 tied pubs and their tenants.

Mirroring Scotland

SIBA, which represents more than 700 small and independent brewers across the UK, and its call on Government to give pub tenants a right to stock a local beer of their choice mirrors what is already set to be introduced in Scotland under its own pubs code, expected in 2023.

A SIBA/YouGov poll earlier in the year found three quarters of drinkers believe it is important that local pubs offer a range of craft beer from small breweries.