Pca

PCA review divides opinion

01-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Voices from the sector have clashed over the results of the review into the operation and performance of the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).

Pub repairs – how the pubs code helps

19-May-2023 By Fiona Dickie, Pubs Code Adjudicator

Disputes over pub repairs can be a real cause of dissatisfaction for the tenant, as well as the landlord. Knowing and using Pubs Code rights can help avoid such disputes arising or help tenants to resolve them if they do.

Star to pay £1.25m settlement over pubs code breaches

19-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Star Pubs & Bars has agreed to pay £1.25m to end a High Court litigation with the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) that began in 2019 after an investigation was launched into the pubco breaching the pubs code.

PCA launches Annual Tied Tenant Survey

16-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has called on tied publicans to take part in its Annual Tied Tenants Survey to help “restore the balance” in the relationship between tied tenants and pubcos.

Duties of pub-owning companies to tenants highlighted in new guide

30-Sep-2021 By Michelle Perrett

The duties of pub-owning business (POBs) in connection to new tied agreements is the topic of a new guide from the office of the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA).

Tribunal orders PCA to release withheld pubco letters and meeting notes

11-Jun-2021 By Stuart Stone

A spokesperson for the office of the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has said the regulator is ‘considering next steps’ after a tribunal ordered it to release previously withheld pubco letters.

Opinion

Secretary of state has challenged me to ‘change how the PCA does business’

19-Nov-2020 By Fiona Dickie - pubs code adjudicator

The Government has this month published the first statutory review of the pubs code and the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).

‘Police yourselves, vigorously or I will do it for you’ PCA warns pubcos

15-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

Pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Fiona Dickie has told The Morning Advertiser (MA) her decision to fine Star Pubs & Bars for pubs code breaches demonstrates she is both ‘a regulator with teeth’ and is 'prepared to bite'

Opinion

'Knowing the pubs code will help tenants negotiate in this challenging time'

27-Aug-2020 By Fiona Dickie – pubs code adjudicator

During this uniquely challenging time the financial stresses that Covid-19 has inflicted on tied tenants should not exacerbated by pubs code breaches by their pub-owning business. The industry should know I am watching this very closely.

Professional support vital on pub trigger event claims, PCA warns

27-Jul-2020 By Ed Bedington

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) is seeking to clarify the situation when it comes to trigger events for pubs in light of the ongoing challenges to the hospitality sector, however operators are being warned to seek professional advice before proceeding.

#unitedwestand

‘Tenants need support of pubcos to survive,’ says PCA

06-Apr-2020 By Stuart Stone

Pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby and deputy Fiona Dickie have called on regulated pubcos refusing to waive rent to clarify how they plan to back tied tenants through the ongoing pandemic.

#Unitedwestand

Pubcos sign PCA declaration to preserve tenant rights during coronavirus

03-Apr-2020 By Stuart Stone

The businesses regulated by the pubs code have signed a joint declaration to protect tenant rights after informing pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby that they are unable to uphold duties during the Covid-19 shutdown.

BPC labels dilapidations group ‘wholly inappropriate’

10-Jun-2019 By Emily Hawkins

A row has erupted over the representatives appointed to a new group investigating the management of dilapidations under the pubs code.

Licensee challenges ‘out of control’ pubs code adjudicator with legal action crowdfund

02-Jan-2019 By Emily Hawkins

A north London licensee has launched a crowdfunding campaign to mount a High Court challenge to pubcos and the pubs code adjudicator over the beer tie.

Greene King drops PCA judicial review proceedings pursuit

15-Oct-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

Operator Greene King has dropped its call for a judicial review into an MRO advice note from the Pubs Code, over four months after announcing its intentions to bring court action against the office.

Agreement reached on pubs code confidentiality

17-Sep-2018 By Emily Hawkins

The pubs code adjudicator has agreed on principles for the publication of pubs code arbitration decisions with the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

PCA responds to latest warnings over pubs code effectiveness

29-Aug-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby is set to gather more evidence on the effectiveness of the pubs code after compliance reports from the six big pubcos appeared to confirm earlier research showing "significiant barriers" faced by tied tenants.

Pubs code adjudicator urged to publish evidence of improvements

23-Aug-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby has been urged to publish evidence of the improvements the pubs code has brought for tied tenants, in an open letter from a tied tenant.

Pubs code review considered for early 2019

18-Jul-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Richard Harrington, Under Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), has said he will consider calls for a review into the pubs code to begin at the start of 2019.

Two pubcos face criticism over confidentiality waiver at BEIS committee hearing

26-Jun-2018 By Michelle Perrett

Some pubcos faced criticism over refusals to agree to a confidentiality waiver over arbitrations during a session of the Business, Energy & Industrial Committee earlier today (26 June).

Greene King begins judicial review proceedings over PCA advice note

14-Jun-2018 By Claire Churchard

Greene King has followed through on its threat to bring court action against the office of the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) over the legality of an advice note published on the 2 March 2018.

Fresh calls for pubs code review in demonstration outside parliament

23-May-2018 By Claire Churchard

Campaigners representing tied pub tenants have launched a fresh call for a review of the pubs code, holding a demonstration outside parliament to highlight the issue.

PCA: discussions ongoing with pubcos over waiving confidentiality

30-Apr-2018 By Michelle Perrett

The office of the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has said discussions are ongoing with pub-owning businesses concerning its call to waive confidentiality in arbitration awards.

Single pubco accounts for more than half of PCA arbitrations, data shows

26-Apr-2018 By Helen Gilbert

EI Group, previously known as Enterprise Inns, has topped the list of arbitrations to go through the office of the Pub Code Adjudicator (PCA) since it was established, PCA data has revealed.

Many tied tenants unclear about pubs code rights, PCA survey finds

09-Mar-2018 By Claire Churchard

A survey of tied tenants has revealed that the rights they are entitled to under the pubs code remain a mystery for a significant proportion.

Ei appeals pubs code adjudicator decision at High Court

22-Jan-2018 By Georgina Townshend

The Ei Group is "awaiting a decision" from the High Court after it appealed an award made by the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).

Concern raised over PCA's compliance handbook

18-Dec-2017 By Georgina Townshend

While the pubs code adjudicator's recently published handbook for pub-owning businesses has largely been welcomed, there are worries it could "create another level of complexity, in addition to the existing code".

Pubs code adjudicator receives over 550 enquiries in its first year

26-Jul-2017 By Fred A'Court

More than 550 enquiries have been made to the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) in its first year with the overwhelming number of cases that have been accepted relating to the market-rent-only (MRO) option under which tied tenants can request to go free of...

Pubs code: a year on

21-Jul-2017 By Fred A'Court

It is now a year since the pubs code was introduced but neither the trade, nor consultants and legal advisers negotiating deals between breweries and pubs, or pressure groups, seem to be celebrating.

Pub operators ‘incensed’ by PCA response on MRO

10-Jul-2017 By Georgina Townshend

A group of leading pub operators said it is “incensed” by a response from the pubs code adjudicator’s (PCA) office to concerns it raised last week about the PCA’s slow progress on market-rent-only (MRO) option cases and the mounting costs related to them.

PCA defends slow progress on MRO cases as 'reducing risks'

04-Jul-2017 By Claire Churchard

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has defended the slow pace of its progress on market-rent-only (MRO) option cases, after a group of pub operators called the body a “rabbit in the headlights” for its perceived inaction.

PCA is ‘rabbit in the headlights’ over MRO, say operators

03-Jul-2017 By Claire Churchard

A group of leading pub operators has described the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) as “a rabbit in the headlights” over its management of the market-rent-only (MRO) option, in a joint letter sent to Marcus Jones, the minister responsible for pubs (Monday...

Low MRO numbers caused by 'complex and convoluted procedures'

05-Jun-2017 By Liam Coleman

Billed as a ‘new dawn’ for tenants last July, take-up for the market-rent-only (MRO) option has proved slow ever since. What has gone wrong with this critical tenet of the pubs code?

Breaking the code: has pressure on PCA Newby reached boiling point?

07-Mar-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The introduction of the pubs code and subsequent selection of Paul Newby as pubs code adjudicator represents a big change for the large pub companies. It’s been a roller-coaster ride so far but what will happen in the future?

Differences must be put aside as the pubs code clock is ticking

06-Mar-2017 By Ed Bedington

I have every sympathy with those who are finding the situation around the pubs code and the role of the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) frustrating.

Punch tenants demand clarification on Heineken deal

23-Jan-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The Punch Tenant Network (PTN), the campaign group representing Punch licensees, has called on the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) to clarify the position if Heineken’s bid for the pub company is successful.