PCA launches Annual Tied Tenant Survey

Following its launch this week, the PCA ​has sought to canvas a “record” number of respondents for this year’s survey in order to provide a “unique, confidential and independent” opportunity for tenants to share their views.

Pubs code adjudicator Fiona Dickie said: “The pubs code exists to restore balance in the relationship between tied pub tenants and pub-owning companies so that it works better, and so that those tenants’ businesses can thrive, and the Annual Tied Tenants Survey is the best way to truly understand how tenants feel about a variety of issues.

“By doubling the number of respondents, this year’s research will give us statistically relevant data which will allow us to paint the most accurate picture yet of that relationship.”

The survey of tied tenants across the six largest pub-owning companies (Admiral, Greene King, Marston’s, Punch Pubs, Star Pubs & Bars, and Stonegate) will be carried out by research company, Ipsos, between Tuesday 10 January and the middle of March with the results published soon after.

Four key areas 

Offering tenants the opportunity to feed back on their relationship with business development manager’s (BDM’s) and the support and information provided by pubcos, the survey will cover four key areas.

These include awareness of pubs code rights and where to get information or support, relationship between tenants, BDM’s and code compliance officers, the experience of tenant contact with the PCA and the experience of new tenants.

Additionally, respondents are encouraged to share how their pub company has been applying the pubs code their experience of the PCA ​service and communications, including its website.

Last year’s findings showed 62% of tenants were satisfied with the relationship with their pubco while 22% were dissatisfied.

Admiral came out on top in the satisfaction rankings at 80% while Punch Pubs finished bottom with 47% of tenants satisfied and 29% dissatisfied.

Important survey 

Moreover, 83% of new tenants ​found the information they received from their pubco before their tenancy began was useful while the tenant/BDM relationship generally received positive feedback with 76% stating their BDM was fair.

Repairs and dilapidations were the biggest pain point, with 39% satisfied and 42% dissatisfied. Though this was a slight improvement on 2019 figures that showed 37% were satisfied and 44% were dissatisfied.

Additionally, last year’s survey showed overall awareness of the pubs code among tenants stood at 79%, its highest ever level.

However, awareness of their pub company’s code compliance officer was low at 27%.

Dickie added: “We understand how busy tenants are, but we would be hugely grateful for their time if they are contacted by Ipsos about completing this important survey. All results are anonymous and the research is completely independent.”