The Pubs Code came into force on the 21 July 2016 and was updated on the 1st April 2022, giving tenants more rights and greater protection when dealing with large pub companies that own tied pubs.
Tied tenants are obliged to buy beer and possibly other drinks from their landlords. All businesses owning 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales are now covered by the Code. This has given tenants of those companies new rights and protections, such as increased transparency about the tied deals available, a fair rent assessment, and the right to move to a free-of-tie tenancy in certain circumstances.
If you want to take on a new tied agreement in England and Wales you will need to take Pre-Entry Awareness Training
The current Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) is Fiona Dickie. The PCA provides an arbitration service for the resolution of Pubs Code disputes and has powers to investigate breaches of the Code. Her office has produced clear guidance which can be accessed on the Pub Adjudicator’s Website.
Simply put, the Market Rent Only (MRO) option means that tenants of large pub companies can opt to change to a free-of-tie lease and remove the obligation for all the products sold on site to be bought directly from the landlord pub company or their agreed supplier.
The Pubs Code Adjudicator put together a collection of 40-second videos designed to help tied pub tenants better understand the Pubs Code and how it applies to them.
