Punch's new code of practice heralds "behavioural shift
Roger Whiteside, Punch Taverns' leased estate boss, believes the pubco's new code of conduct will drive a "fundamental behavioural shift" in the way it operates.
Whitesid said the code, which has been agreed in principle by the BII, was part of its goal of being seen as the most trusted pub company in the UK.
Speaking as he published the document on Punch's website and invited feedback from its licensees, Whiteside said the code contained nothing "startlingly new".
"But it's a lot more explicit and contains considerably more detail about what a licensee can expect when he or she takes on a Punch pub - and what licensees are expected to offer in return - than had been the case before," he said.
Chapters cover areas such as supply services, rents, the beer tie, repairs and maintenance and selling a pub.
Whiteside said he wanted people interested in taking on one of its pubs "with their eyes open".
"We've always highlighted the risks involved in taking on a pub but this document will mean that things are a lot clearer now," he added.
Whiteside said the new code built on Punch's existing charter, but that the company had realised it need greater clarity. "Hence it's bloody longer," he said, of the 63-page document.
"The code sets the tone of what we promise to do, it reinforces those promises and it gives our partners recourse in the event that we don't fulfil them. It shows our serious intent, it will drive forward the behaviours going forward and represents a fundamental shift in attitude," he added.
It also sets out what Punch expects from prospective licensees, including the consequences of buying out of the beer tie.
Punch's code appears in full on the company's website and Whiteside has thrown the door open for its licensees and others to comment.
"We put it up internally a while ago and that threw up a few small things and we decided to open it up to our partners and others in the industry," he said.
However Whiteside didn't expect feedback to highlight "glaring omissions or additions. People may have examples of where they've run into things covered by the code. I'm looking forward to hearing from them".
Once any changes have been made the code will be resubmitted to the BII for final accreditation in time for the end of June deadline, he added.
Anyone wishing to read Punch's code can do so via its website (www.punchtaverns.com). Comments can be emailed to the company via copfeedback@punchtaverns.com.
