The Pub Governing Body (PGB) has welcomed the introduction of three new voluntary codes of practice, for leased pubs, for tenanted pubs in England and Wales (covering pub companies which operate fewer than 500 tied pubs), and for tied pubs in Scotland, all published in recent days.
The new codes have been developed by the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB) and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) in conjunction with Trust Inns, NewRiver Retail and Mitchells & Butlers, alongside tenants’ representative groups on the PGB.
They coincide with the coming into force today of the new, statutory regulation of the UK’s larger pub companies. The new codes will ensure that a voluntary system that covers pub company/tenant relationships continues to operate for lessees and tenants of smaller companies and in Scotland, where the new the system of statutory regulation in England and Wales does not apply.
The new codes replace Industry Framework Code Six (IFC6) and individual company codes, which now cease to operate. As with IFC6, the PGB will oversee the new codes, ensuring that lessees and tenants covered by them will continue to enjoy access to low cost arbitration of rent and other disputes, through the Pub Industry Rent Review Scheme (PIRRS) and PICA-Service, which will continue to be administered by the BII.
IFC6 has now been replaced by the new statutory and three voluntary codes. PIRRS and PICA-Service will, however, also continue to consider complaints from tenants and lessees for all tied pubs that arose during the operation of IFC6, for one further year from the commencement of statutory regulation.
The Pub Governing Body members are six of the industry’s leading associations representing both tenants and landlords: the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), Brighton & Hove Licensee Association, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA), and the Guild of Master Victuallers (GMV).
Sir Peter Luff, chairman of the Pub Governing Body, said: “I am very pleased that the three new codes are now in place. They ensure that the vital work of the PGB to protect tenants and lessees continues, following the introduction of the new statutory regime for larger companies, this week. I am also glad that we have been able to put in place a lengthy transition period for complaints arising under IFC6.
“Companies will make their tenants and lessees aware of these changes. I urge tenants and lessees who believe they have cause for complaint to make use of PIRRS and PICA -Service in the future.
“A great deal of hard work has gone into developing the new codes. They show a commitment from all involved that self-regulation should continue to move forward in the pub sector. They will give tenants and lessees confidence that the very effective services already established will continue to work for them. I thank everyone who has been involved in securing this welcome outcome.”
