5th 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)
INTRODUCTION
The annual audit of companies operating tied public houses covered by either of the above codes of practice was carried out between August and September 2021 and covered the period 1st August 2020 – 31st July 2021.
Conducted in what has been an unprecedented eighteen months due to the Covid 19 pandemic, this is the fifth audit to take place since the new codes of practice came into effect for those companies operating 1-499 tied leased or tenanted pubs. A full list of those companies covered by each code can be found in Annex A.
Those companies not covered by the government’s Pubs Code (those operating fewer than 500 tied pubs) and the Pub Governing Body agreed that the good practice enshrined in the Industry Framework Code that preceded statutory regulation of the larger chains should continue. They therefore developed the three new Codes based on the Industry Framework Code, with additional improvements and updates.
Scotland has its own Pub Governing Body, the report as per last year has been split into two parts, one for England & Wales and one for Scotland.
The PGB Board England and Wales consists of :
Sir Peter Luff – England and Wales Chair
George Barnes – Shepherd Neame Ltd
Martin Caffrey – Federation of Licensed Victuallers Association
Michael Clist – British Institute of Innkeeping
Nick Griffin – The Licensees Association
Emma McClarkin – British Beer and Pub Association
Kate Nicholls – UK Hospitality
Jayson Perfect – The Liberation Group
Bill Sharp – Guild of Master Victuallers
Andy Tighe – British Beer and Pub Association
COMMENTS FROM THE ENGLAND AND WALES BOARD
The Board is pleased to see that the data in the fifth annual report once again shows there is a high level of compliance with both codes in England & Wales.
The Board would also like to commend the companies governed by the Code for the help they have given to their tenants during the Covid pandemic.
The Board welcomes the full compliance regarding both business plans and the number of rent reviews settled within the audit period, apart from those which have been delayed as a result of Covid 19. We would encourage Companies to settle those reviews that remain outstanding as soon as is possible. The Board is also pleased that pubs within its jurisdiction, that are protected by the landlord and tenant act has fallen slightly to 79% (80%).
On training, although most BDMs or similar have undergone training, now that most staff have returned from furlough, the Board urges that training re-commences for those newer to the industry.
Sir Peter Luff, Chair of the Pub Governing Body, England and Wales commented,
“The board of the Pub Governing Body attaches great importance to this annual survey of the compliance of companies governed by our Codes. This has been a second very difficult year for all pubs – and we hope the easing of restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic will not be reversed – but we are very pleased to see that, despite these unprecedented challenges, a high level of compliance has been maintained.
The industry can take pride in five years of sustained compliance, as the climate in which pubs operate returns to something closer to normality. However, there are two particular areas where we believe companies will need to be diligent if this record is to be continued into a sixth year – ensuring BDMs are properly trained and settling outstanding rent reviews at the earliest opportunity.
The year has also seen changes in the structure of the industry but we believe the work of the PGB remains a vital component in continuing confidence among tenants, commentators and politicians in the effectiveness of self-regulation of smaller pub companies.
It remains the clear view of the board that the Pub Governing Body and its associated Codes are together proving that self-regulation is both effective and unbureaucratic. Crucially, self-regulation can respond quickly to changing circumstances and the board will remain alert to any need for changes that may be needed as the industry continues to evolve. “
HEADLINE STATISTICS – ENGLAND & WALES
The full list of companies covered by the respective codes can be found in Annex A.
(Figures in brackets are 2019-20)
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
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
St Austell Brewery Company Limited
Shepherd Neame Limited
Timothy Taylor & Co. Limited
Trust Inns Limited
WH Brakspear & Sons Limited
Wadworth and Company Limited
October 2021