The new boss of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the whole industry to consider its new code and "get on board".
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said the trade body had received a "positive reaction" from key stakeholders on its new Framework Code of Practice on the Granting of Tenancies and Leases.
The new code will be obligatory for all BBPA members from 1 January 2010 and aims to improve transparency, enhance the standard of business development managers, remove the AWP machine income from rent calculations and abolish upward-only rent reviews.
"I would urge everyone in the industry to take time to consider our code agreement and get on board," said Simmonds.
"It's far more important to work together on what we agree on, than try and find differences. As the Office of Fair Trading report stated, we are all in this together.
"Ultimately we will be judged on our actions. All our member companies, from the largest to the smallest, are committed to implementing these changes.
"They are determined to work alongside their licensees so that we all emerge from this economic downturn stronger. They are as deeply committed to the future of the great British pub as they are proud of their pub heritage, one they have been building and developing for more than 200 years."
Simmonds added: "We have been actively communicating the content of our new agreement to Government, MPs and regulators.
"People are responding positively to our code agreement. They recognise it as a significant step forward, which will deliver real change and improvement for all licensees.
"They also recognise that while the industry did need to make changes, the issues of the economic downturn, record recession, over-regulation and excessive taxation are the most significant factors depressing licensee incomes and driving pubs out of business."