Pubs Code

Regulator retains 500-site pubs code threshold after review

04-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

A review into the pubs code has revealed that the Government will keep the current threshold of 500 or more tied pubs for pub-owning businesses but this will be kept under review.

Opinion

Compliance is not a choice

29-Oct-2020 By Fiona Dickie – pubs code adjudicator

Those following the Morning Advertiser (MA) and national coverage of my investigation into Star Pubs and Bars will know that I found Star had committed twelve separate breaches of the pubs code, which they must now put right. I fined them £2m in respect...

‘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'

Star Pubs & Bars fined £2m after ‘seriously breaching’ pubs code

15-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

Pubs code adjudicator Fiona Dickie has fined Heineken’s pub arm, Star Pubs & Bars, £2m for 'seriously and repeatedly' breaching the pubs code over nearly three years – a charge the operator is 'actively considering' appealing....

Former PCA Newby back in the pub property game

06-Oct-2020 By Ed Bedington

Former pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby is stepping back into the pub property market in tandem with Matthew Philips Surveyors.

Opinion

Pubs code review must provide businesses and licensees with greater clarity

22-Sep-2020 By Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs & Bars managing director

As we take stock of the continuing Covid crisis, it’s clear that many pubs in this country, regardless of their ownership model, are proving resilient through the pandemic.

Opinion

Rents, Covid and the code

21-Sep-2020 By Fiona Dickie – pubs code adjudicator

A top concern expressed by tenants since lockdown began has been their rent levels. They want to know what the Pubs Code and the PCA can do. I am pleased to have this opportunity to set out the position.

PCA updates Regulatory Compliance Handbook’s MRO guidance

14-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

The office of the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has published a revised edition of its Regulatory Compliance Handbook featuring an updated chapter on market-rent-only (MRO) option proposals.

PCA takes on research partner for pubs code awareness project

08-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has revealed it has expanded its research capabilities ahead of a deep dive into the most effective ways to educate tied tenants on their code rights.

PCA: ‘imperative pubcos do as much as possible to help tenants’

01-May-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has urged the six regulated pub-owning businesses to support their tied tenants as much as possible, amid the coronavirus crisis.

Government appoints new PCA

24-Feb-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government has announced it has appointed Fiona Dickie as the new pubs code adjudicator (PCA), a role that was previously filled by Paul Newby.

Deputy PCA reappointed for further two years

30-Oct-2019 By Nikkie Thatcher

Deputy pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Fiona Dickie has been reappointed for the next 24 months as of 1 November 2019, it has been announced.

Pubs code data published by BBPA

26-Sep-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Pubcos regulated by the pubs code have started publishing monthly data on the numbers of market rent only (MRO) notices issued, conversion rates into MRO agreements and other trends.

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.

CAMRA wins pubs code information challenge

01-Aug-2018 By Emily Hawkins

The information commissioner has ruled in favour of campaigners’ bid to see details on the performance of the pubs code released.

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.

BEIS committee chair calls for immediate action on pubs code

10-Jul-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Rachel Reeves, chair of the Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Committee, has written a letter calling for immediate action to ensure the pubs code protects all tenants.

Pubcos waive confidentiality rights over MRO

29-Jun-2018 By Michelle Perrett

The six pub-operating businesses (POBs) covered by the pubs code have agreed to waive their right to confidentiality in market-rent-only (MRO) option arbitration decisions.

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).

'Urgent review of pubs code needed' CAMRA tells BEIS committee

21-Jun-2018 By Claire Churchard

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called for an “urgent” review of the pubs code saying the code has failed to provide fairness and that pubcos are “continuing to exploit gaps in the legislation”.

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.

Two pubcos threaten PCA with judicial reviews over MRO advice

22-May-2018 By Michelle Perrett

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) faces potential court action from Greene King and Ei Group – both of which dispute the legality of advice given for the market-rent-only (MRO) option.

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.

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.

SBPA warns against proposals to introduce a pubs code in Scotland

09-Feb-2018 By Georgina Townshend

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association have called for a "rethink" on the proposed bill which would establish a pubs code in Scotland, saying that if successful, it would "cost jobs, investment and opportunities, while punishing tied-pubs...

Tenant and lessee rights: What are the options if you just can’t agree?

01-Dec-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The rent review or lease renewal is a difficult time for any licensee. But what are the options if you just can’t agree the rent or you feel that the pubco is acting unfairly?

PCA report on pubcos and MRO due in weeks

01-Nov-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) will publish a report in the "coming weeks" on the outcome of an investigation into the actions of pubcos regarding the market-rent-only (MRO) option.

Spotlight: When is MRO not MRO?

09-Oct-2017 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.

Pubcos slammed for using Section 25 notices to block MRO

26-Sep-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Pubcos have come under fire for using a specific notice to hinder licensees from accessing the market-rent-only (MRO) option.

Licensee celebrates MRO deal with Punch after year-long battle

20-Sep-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Paul Crossman, licensee of the Swan, on Bishopthorpe Road, York, said that it took a year of negotiation before the deal for the free-of-tie deal was finalised.

Pubs code adjudicator Paul Newby 'pubs code is not failing'

11-Sep-2017 By Claire Churchard

With just a year under its belt, the pubs code still has a lot to prove. The Morning Advertiser talks to pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby to find out why the legislation is making so many people frustrated and what he can do, and is doing, about...

PCA Paul Newby urges tied tenants to seek MRO information

06-Sep-2017 By Claire Churchard

The Morning Advertiser spoke to pubs code adjudicator Paul Newby to find out how tenants can access information about the market rent only option.

Pub-industry bodies slam PCA’s MRO report as ‘one-sided and opaque'

23-Aug-2017 By Claire Churchard

Pub-industry bodies have slammed a report from the pubs code adjudicator containing evidence that 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.

Scotland could follow England over pubs code implementation

01-Aug-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Scotland could be set to follow England in implementing the pubs code legislation, meaning thousands of pubs north of the border could go free of tie.

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...

Adjudicator raises £1.5m from pubcos in levies

24-Jul-2017 By James Wallin, MCA

The Pubs Code Adjudicator’s office raised a total levy of £1.5m in 2016/17 from the six pubcos covered by the legislation.

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.

Newby’s radio comments on PCA role spark anger

14-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby has been slammed for the way he described his role in enforcing the pubs code during an interview with BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme this week.

Pubs code adjudicator resolves first five cases

09-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Pubs code adjudicator Paul Newby has resolved the first cases submitted to him since taking the role.

Stocking rights clarification for MRO tenants

06-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has confirmed that stocking rights can be imposed on tenants by pubcos, even if the tenant has taken on the market-rent-only (MRO) option.

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.

Pubs code adjudicator in plea for ‘constructive discussion’

24-Feb-2017 By Claire Churchard

Pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby has urged critics of his office to “put hostility aside” and meet with him for “a constructive discussion”. 

Damning report on Newby circulated ahead of debate

20-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

A British Pub Confederation (BPC) report slamming the pubs code adjudicator, Paul Newby, has sparked a war of words between Newby's office and BPC chair, Greg Mulholland.

Pubs code

Cracking the pubs code - Is it working?

12-Jan-2017 By Ed Bedington

Since the launch of the pubs code, the opportunity for licensees to break away from their pub company has been on offer. But has the system been working to the benefit of all parties so far?

2017 Predictions

2017 Predictions: BII says there is no doubt the year ahead will be tough

20-Dec-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) CEO Mike Clist has told The Morning Advertiser there is no doubt 2017 will be a tough year for the sector.

Pubs Code

Greene King accuses Pubs Code of "confusion” over stocking rights

19-Dec-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Greene King has blamed the pubs code of creating “inconsistency and confusion” by omitting to clarify stocking rights.

Pubs Code

ITV documentary on pubs code to air tonight

07-Dec-2016 By Liam Coleman

Paul Newby will discuss opposition to his appointment as pubs code adjudicator as part of an ITV documentary on the code that will air tonight (December 8).

MRO

40 Punch licensees request MRO statistics

08-Nov-2016 By James Wallin, MCA

Punch has revealed 40 licensees have asked what the difference in costs would be if they decided to take the market rent-only option (MRO) since the pubs code came into force in July.