New codes of practice for leased and tenanted pubs was published in July 2016 by the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB) in conjunction with the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and other companies representing the sector with between 0 and 499 pubs. The England and Wales code was further updated by them on the 1st April 2022.
The two new codes, one for lessees and another
for tenants in England and Wales, ensure that there will be a seamless
transition for lessees and tenants with a pub company operating fewer
than 500 pubs. A further code for Scotland is also being published.
Lessees and tenants covered by the code will
continue to enjoy the same low-cost arbitration services for rents
(PIRRS) and other disputes (PICAS) overseen by the Pub Governing Body
(PGB). The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) will continue to
administer the service on behalf of the PGB.
As a requirement of IFBB and BBPA membership,
all member companies will be covered by the codes. In addition, Trust
Inns have signed up and talks are taking
place with other companies that are not members of either of the two
leading organisations.
In order to make the system of self-regulation
more streamlined, and as the codes already set minimum standards,
companies will no longer need to produce their own company codes for
accreditation. However, it is envisaged that the PGB will develop
mechanisms to monitor compliance by code signatories, over time.