CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona has made comment on the release of the Pubs Code Review.
Antona (pictured) said, “While it is good to hear that the Government has published the Pubs Code Review and agree with our assessment that the Code is not working as it should, the proposed course of action falls far short of the changes needed to deliver on the principles of ‘no worse off’ and ‘fair and lawful dealing’ enshrined in the Code.
“The Review stops short of making more enforcement powers available to the Pubs Code Adjudicator and doesn’t recommend the comprehensive changes needed to address operational issues that have arisen since the Code came into force, or to require pub companies to publish information about rents and tied prices in the interests of transparency.'
Antona continued, “We look forward to working with the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, and to furthering a case for the positive changes to the Code that are being considered as a result of the Review.
“CAMRA will continue to fight for proper reform of the Pubs Code and for the rights of tied tenants across the UK. At a time when the outlook is grim for many pubs and brewers, it’s vital that tenants are supported, rather than subjected to unfair or potentially unlawful treatment.'
Antona ended, “We will also be writing to the six regulated pub companies to ask them to confirm what rent support they will provide to both tied and free of tie tenants in England during the second lockdown period and call on other smaller pub companies and brewers across England to do the same.“