3rd ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT
Pub Sector – England & Wales TENANTED Code of Practice (1-499 Tied Pubs)
Pub Sector – England & Wales LEASED Code of Practice (1-499 Tied Pubs)
Pub Sector – Scotland Code of Practice
INTRODUCTION
This is the annual audit of companies operating tied public houses covered by the above code(s) of practice which was carried out between August and September 2019.
This is the therefore the third audit to take place since the new codes of practice came into effect for those companies operating 1-499 tied leased or tenanted pubs, and/or tied pubs in Scotland. The audit covers the period 1st August 2018 – 31st July 2019. A full list of those companies covered by each code can be found in Annex A.
Those companies not covered by the Pubs Code (i.e. those operating under 500 tied pubs) and the Pub Governing Body agreed that the good practice enshrined in the Industry Framework Code that preceded them should continue. They therefore developed the three new Codes based on the Industry Framework Code, with additional improvements and elements being brought up to date. In Scotland, which is not covered by the Statutory Code, the majority of companies operating tied pubs have signed up to the bespoke Scottish Code which was created specifically for the Scottish tied pub sector.
In Scotland there is a Scottish Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service (PICA Service) and panel as well as Pub Independent Rent Review Scheme (PIRRS) Surveyors that have, or do, operate in Scotland.
This report has been prepared by the Pub Governing Body, and summarises the data received from the annual audit.
COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD
The Board is pleased to see that the third annual report once again shows there is a high level of compliance, as evidenced by the data below.
Of note once again was the full compliance regarding business plans, and the number of rent reviews settled within the audit period. On training, it was noted that there has been an excellent improvement in the number trained to the required standard.
Comments from Sir Peter Luff, Chairman of the Pub Governing Body:
Sir Peter Luff, Chairman of the Pub Governing Body, commented,
“Once again, the results of this annual report underline the crucial role the Pub Governing Body continues to play following the implementation of the statutory Pubs Code two years ago.
“We are pleased to see strong levels of compliance from the companies governed by our Codes. We will continue to monitor and review these codes to ensure they remain relevant to both companies and tenants.
“Last year the Board announced they had reached agreement with stakeholders to ensure the independent rent review service, PIRRS, was available for all pub tenants – both those covered by the Statutory Code and those governed by self-regulation. The Board is pleased to confirm that fifteen tenants from Admiral, EI, Punch, Star Pubs and Bars, Marstons and Greene King have taken advantage of this scheme in the year ending 31st July 2019”.
HEADLINE STATISTICS – ENGLAND & WALES
The full list of companies covered by the respective codes can be found in Annex A.
(Figures in brackets are 2017-18)
Pubs surveyed
Code compliance
Rent reviews
Business Development Managers
PIRRS and PICA-Service
‘Protected’ agreements
HEADLINE STATISTICS – SCOTLAND
The full list of companies covered by the respective codes can be found in Annex A.
Pubs surveyed
Code compliance
Rent reviews
Business Development Managers
PIRRS and PICA-Service
‘Protected’ agreements
ANNEX A – SIGNATORIES TO THE CODES
England & Wales
Adnams plc
Arkell’s Brewery Limited
Camerons Brewery Limited
Charles Wells Limited
Daniel Batham & Son Limited
Daniel Thwaites plc
Everards Brewery Limited
Frederic Robinson Limited
Fuller Smith & Turner plc
George Bateman & Son Limited
Gray & Sons Limited
Hall & Woodhouse Limited
Harvey & Son (Lewes) Limited
Hawthorn Leisure Limited
Heavitree Brewery plc
Holdens Brewery Limited
Hook Norton Brewery Company, Limited
Hyde’s Brewery Limited
J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited
J.W. Lees & Co. (Brewers) Limited
Joseph Holt Limited
Liberation Group Ltd/Butcombe Brewery
McMullen & Sons Limited
Mitchells & Butlers plc
NewRiver Retail Limited
St Austell Brewery Company Limited
S.A. Brain & Company, Limited
Shepherd Neame Limited
Timothy Taylor & Co. Limited
Trust Inns Limited
WH Brakspear & Sons Limited
Wadworth and Company Limited
Young and Co’s Brewery plc
Scotland
Admiral Taverns Limited
Belhaven/Greene King plc
Hawthorn Leisure Limited
Punch plc
Star Pubs & Bars/HEINEKEN UK Limited
Trust Inns Limited
PGB
October 2019
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