Leasehold Estate

The pubs code was arguably meant to provide an easy way out of tied deals with the big pubcos, but it could cost more than you think.

MRO: can you afford it?

By Stuart Stone

The hoops pub tied tenants need to jump through to access MRO are also steeped in costs. While going free-of-tie can be ultimately rewarding, the question to consider is whether you are prepared for the cost?

New addition: Laine CEO Gavin George has welcomed Distinct Group's staff

Laine Pub Co acquires Distinct Group

By Nikkie Sutton

Regional brewer and operator Laine Pub Company has acquired the four-strong leasehold pub estate of the Distinct Group.

Lease renewal: procedures should not be embarked on without the benefit of professional advice

Property advice: Give lease a chance

By Michelle Perrett

Lease renewals are a vital part of a publican’s business development, but procedures under the Landlord and Tenant Act are fraught with potential problems and shouldn’t be embarked on without the benefit of professional advice.

Confusing elements: controversy has stalked the pubs code at every stage

Spotlight: When is MRO not MRO?

By Michelle Perrett

Controversy has stalked the pubs code at every stage. But one of the most confusing elements is licensees’ access to the market-rent-only (MRO) option. Here, we look at how this part of the legislation is progressing, or not, in some cases.

Key factors: It is crucial to get it right first time when deciding on tenancy or lease

Which is best, a tenancy or a lease?

By Michelle Perrett

Your knowledge of the pub business and how much money you have to spend are key factors in deciding whether you come into the trade on a tenancy, lease or a freehold. It is crucial to get it right first time

Licensees' 'unrealistic assumptions' of property prices

Licensees' 'unrealistic assumptions' of property prices

By Michelle Perrett

Property valuers believe licensees think their pubs are worth more than they actually are, the market is less buoyant than a year ago and almost all say leasehold prices will not increase in the coming 12 months.

Concerned: pubs code adjudicator Paul Newby vows to investigate MRO issues further

PCA to confront pub owning businesses over MRO blocking

By Claire Churchard

Pub-owning businesses (POBs) are blocking tied tenants’ access to the market rent only option (MRO) and going against the spirit of the pubs code, according to a report commissioned by the pubs code adjudicator’s office.

Uncertain future: licensees set up crowdfunding page to save pub (Image: Google Maps)

Crowdfunding page set up to save Cornish pub

By Georgina Townshend

A local has set up a crowdfunding page on behalf of licencees to raise enough money to buy their pub to save it from being closed and prevent their family “from being turned out”.

Projected turnover: forecasts for newly leased pubs have risen by 14%

Newly leased pubs' turnover forecast up 14%

By Georgina Townshend

Turnover forecasts for newly leased pubs have risen by 14% for the next two years due to “improved business confidence”, according to the latest data from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Pubs code arbitration figures six months in

Request for pubs code arbitration on the rise

By Liam Coleman

Figures released by pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby show that there have been, on average, more than 20 requests for him to step in and adjudicate every month since the pubs code became law six months ago.

Brexit and the pubs code: predicting the pub property market

Property

Brexit and the pubs code: predicting the pub property market

By Michelle Perrett

What’s set to happen to the property market in the next two to three years? Leading property agents give their predictions in light of the Brexit vote and new pubs code legislation giving tenants the ability to break the tie.

Preparing for the rent review fight

Advice

Preparing for the rent review fight

By Michelle Perrett

The term ‘rent review’ can strike fear into the heart of any licensee. Michelle Perrett finds out how to negotiate the best possible deal in the first of this two-part series.

10 things we've learnt about the pubs code

Pubs code

10 things we've learnt about the pubs code

By Michelle Perrett

The Government has published its first draft of the pubs code and how it proposes the market rent-only option (MRO) will work in practice. Here are 10 key points from the draft code.

It's best to embrace change in the pub industry

Property

It's best to embrace change in the pub industry

By Barry Gillham

The licensed trade might appear to be forever switching lanes but, as Barry Gillham finds after 50 years in the business, it is better to embrace change than fight it.

Speakers revealed for Tenanted Pub Company Summit

Conference

Speakers revealed for Tenanted Pub Company Summit

By M&C Allegra Foodservice

A high-class line up of speakers have been revealed for the highly anticipated Tenanted Pub Company Summit, hosted by the PMA's sister title M&C Allegra.

Enterprise Inns offers individually tailored websites

Enterprise Inns

Enterprise tenants offered website service

By Oli Gross

New licensees at Enterprise pubs can benefit from individually tailored websites as part of a new support package from the pubco.

FLVA updates members on pubs code

FLVA updates members on pubs code

By Martin Caffrey

The Federation of Licensed Victuallers Association (FLVA) held a series of member briefings on the forthcoming pubs code last month. Ops director Martin Caffrey provides an update.

Pubs Advisory Service launches MRO Advisory Service

MRO Advisory Service launched by PAS

By Michelle Perrett

The Pubs Advisory Service (PAS) has launched the MRO (Market Rent Only) Advisory Service  –  to help explain the new legislation to licensees.

Punch Taverns half-year profits

Operator news

Punch delivers profits

By James Wallin, M&C Report

Punch Taverns has reported a 0.5% rise in like-for-like income in its core estate for the 28 weeks to 7 March 2015 and EBITDA down from £108m for the period last year to £105m this year.

MRO option for pubs FAQs

Business Advice

Q&A: Pubs code and MRO option

By Simon Clarke

Last month, the Small Business, Enterprise & Employment Bill received Royal Assent, with the Government confirming that the pubs code will come into force before the end of May 2016. Fair Pint campaigner and chartered surveyor Simon Clarke provides...

ETM gastropub operator to open Suffolk pub Preston St Mary

ETM Group to open Suffolk country pub

By Ruth Williams, M&C Report

ETM Group, the London-based gastropub operator led by Tom and Ed Martin, is opening its first country pub at Preston St Mary in Suffolk called the Six Bells this spring, M&C Report has learnt.

Wadworth rolls out its segmentation project to tenanted estate

Wadworth rolls out its segmentation project to tenanted estate

By James Wallin, M&C Report

After a successful trial in its managed house division, Wadworth is rolling out its segmentation programme into its tenanted and leased estate, the Publican's Morning Advertiser's sister title M&C Report has learnt.

Spirit Leased to rollout turnover-based rent deal

Spirit Leased to rollout turnover-based rent deal

By Rob Willock

Spirit Leased is to make its turnover-based rent deal the norm for new tenants and lessees as the company looks to move “from the Premier League to the Champions League”, the Publican's Morning Advertiser's sister title M&C Report understands.

The best way to tie the licensed trade knot

The best way to tie the licensed trade knot

By Graham Allman

As in any sound marriage, the relationship between host and BDM has to be built on trust. Graham Allman, MD at GA Select, provides the matrimonial guidance

Don’t fall down over dilapidations

INSIGHT

Don’t fall down over dilapidations

By Anthony Alder

Anthony Alder, director at AG&G chartered surveyors, lifts the lid on what you need to know to help you avoid claims by landlords