Pubs Code Adjudicator

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.

#Unitedwestand

PCA calls on pubcos to publish ‘transparent and consistent’ methodology on rent

05-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has urged the six regulated pub companies to offer a clear methodology on support amid the coronavirus crisis.

#Unitedwestand

New PCA demands pubco accountability during Covid-19

04-May-2020 By Fiona Dickie

On her first day in office, new pubs code adjudicator Fiona Dickie explains, in her own words, that an intelligent approach to regulation can see a strong tenanted sector emerge from coronavirus lockdown.

Exit Interview

Support for tenants ‘more than just rent,’ says outgoing PCA

04-May-2020 By Stuart Stone

After declaring his intention to step down as the inaugural pubs code adjudicator in August 2019, Paul Newby reflects on his four-year term.

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.

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.

Arbitrator's ruling prompts renewed calls to 'sack' Newby

11-Jan-2018 By Georgina Townshend

The British Pub Confederation has written to Rachel Reeves MP, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee, asking her to "intervene and write to the Secretary of State", after the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators...

Licensee feels MRO application is taking a 'billion years’ to process

07-Dec-2017 By Georgina Townshend

A licensee has expressed his utter frustration after having no decision made on his market-rent-only (MRO) option application after more than 14 months.

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.

Deputy pubs code adjudicator appointed by the Government

24-Oct-2017 By Fred A'Court

Barrister Fiona Dickie has been appointed deputy pubs code adjudicator (DPCA) to support Paul Newby in enforcing the pubs code.

BBPA chief denies pubcos are 'dragging heels' over MRO

08-Sep-2017 By Michelle Perrett

British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive Brigid Simmonds has refuted allegations that pubcos have been “dragging their heels” over the pubs code. 

Ei sees significant drop in income from MRO pubs

17-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

Pubco Ei has estimated that it will see an 18% reduction in net income from each of the pubs that have taken the market-rent-only (MRO) option and gone free of tie.

Request for pubs code arbitration on the rise

25-Jan-2017 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.

Pubs code

Industry welcomes stocking rights clarification

23-Dec-2016 By Michelle Perrett

The industry has responded positively to the recent announcement from the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) over stocking rights but said more clarification is needed. 

Pubs code adjudicator

Newby appointment process “short-sighted”: BEIS chair

22-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee chair Iain Wright has slammed the Government’s backing of the pubs code adjudicator (PCA), calling the decision not to reopen the appointment process “short-sighted”.

Government backs Paul Newby as pubs code adjudicator

16-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Greg Clark, the secretary of state for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), has backed Paul Newby as the pubs code adjudicator (PCA). 

Pubs Code

Pubs code adjudicator's stern warning to pubcos following complaints

13-Sep-2016 By Oli Gross

The pubs code adjudicator has issued a warning to pubcos after the office received its first referrals for arbitration following complaints from tenants.

Pubs code

"New dawn" for industry as pubs code finally enforced

21-Jul-2016 By Oli Gross

“A new dawn” for the pub industry has been celebrated after the pubs code finally came into force today.

British Pub Confederation

Pubs code delay 'disgrace': tenants urged to put off negotiations

26-May-2016 By Oli Gross

On the day the pubs code was supposed to come into force, the British Pub Confederation has urged tenants to put upcoming rent renewal negotiations on hold, and labelled the delay a 'disgrace'.

Paul Newby

Pubs Code Adjudicator set to address conflict of interest concerns

09-May-2016 By Oli Gross

The newly appointed pubs code adjudicator will address concerns about his appointment today.

Legislation

Exclusive: Pubs Code Adjudicator reaches out to campaigners

03-May-2016 By James Evison

Meetings planned by the new Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby to include those who have campaigned against his employment - but they have denied his request.

Comment: Will good things come to those who wait?

05-Apr-2016 By Mike Berry

For tied tenants and their campaigners, the wait for reform and a pub statutory code of practice has been a lengthy and frequently frustrating one.

Pubs Code

New pubs code adjudicator announced

09-Mar-2016 By Emily Sutherland

The Government has announced Fleurets director Paul Newby as the pubs code adjudicator. 

Final call for responses to pubs code consultation

18-Jan-2016 By Emily Sutherland

The consultation in to the pubs code legislation will end today (18th January 2016.)

Pubs Code

MRO: Meltdown or Real Opportunity?

10-Aug-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Allegra Foodservice

The introduction of the pubs code, and crucially the Market Rent Only (MRO) option, represents the biggest shake-up of the leased and tenanted pub sector in a decade.

PUBS CODE

Adjudicator for pubs code by May 2016

31-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A pubs code adjudicator will be in place by May 2016 at the latest, the Government has confirmed.

Pubcos say statutory code 'seeks to abolish the tie by the back door'

23-Oct-2014 By James Wallin

Pubcos have ended their silence on the Government’s statutory code proposals, branding them potentially illegal and saying they would create “uncertainty and disruption” across the sector.