Ministers are considering whether the regulator should be retained, reformed or absorbed into another public body, as it pursues its investigation into Stonegate, The Times reports.
The watchdog’s investigation into Stonegate’s treatment of tied tenants has brought renewed attention to its role in overseeing relationships between pub companies and licensees.
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‘Critical moment’
However, industry insiders and campaigners say the probe comes at a critical moment for the PCA, with the government’s long-awaited post-implementation review expected to determine its future.
Established in 2016, the PCA was created to enforce the Pubs Code and address concerns about the balance of power between large pub-owning businesses and tied tenants.
The regime applies to six major pub companies operating more than 500 tied pubs in England and Wales: Stonegate, Marston’s, Greene King, Star Pubs & Bars, Punch Pubs and Admiral Taverns.
But a government review launched in 2025 is examining whether the regulator remains fit for purpose amid significant changes in the structure of the pub sector.
Former employment rights minister Justin Madders said when launching the review that it was time to consider “whether the PCA is still required, should be retained in its current form or should be reformed or consolidated with another public body”.
The consultation closed a year ago, with ministers yet to publish their conclusions.
The review comes as the sector has evolved considerably since the code was introduced. The number of pubs covered by the legislation has declined from around 11,500 in 2016 to approximately 8,500 today, while managed pub models and other operating structures outside the code’s remit have become more common.
‘Little practical difference’
Critics argue the regulator has struggled to deliver meaningful reform. Phil Dixon, a long-standing pub industry adviser, said the adjudicator had made little practical difference despite good intentions.
“The adjudicator has been well-meaning, but ultimately it hasn’t made much difference,” he told The Times. “It is a quango going through the motions.”
Others argue the problem lies not with the regulator itself but with the limitations of the legislation it oversees. Tom Stainer, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said the PCA remains necessary but lacks sufficient powers, and requires a broader mandate and stronger enforcement capabilities.
The debate has intensified following the launch of the Stonegate investigation, only the second formal investigation undertaken by the PCA since its creation. The inquiry is examining allegations relating to the treatment of tied tenants and has prompted current and former publicans to come forward with evidence.
Ian Cass, former chairman of the Forum of British Pubs, said the code had failed to deliver the reforms promised when it was introduced. He called for the abolition of both the code and the adjudicator, alongside the removal of the beer tie altogether.
