BII: rise in pubco benchmarking bookings

The BII has reported an increase in inquiries and bookings from tenanted pub operators who want their codes of practice accredited for clarity.

Four companies were seen by the Benchmarking Committee for BII Benchmarking and Accreditation Services (BIIBAS) in the last week, with a further 10 due to be evaluated soon.

Representatives of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee will attend some benchmarking meetings, the BII said.

Pubcos need the BIIBAS stamp by the end of June under the timetable set by the British Beer & Pub Association.

Batemans is the only operator to have it's code accredited. Punch's code is accredited in principle, subject to consultation with its licensees.

Others agreed in principle are Fuller's, Everards, JW Lees, Elgoods and Charles Wells.

Benchmarking Committee deputy chair Bernard Brindley said codes from McMullens and hopefully Youngs will be examined next Friday.

"Enterprise, Marston's, Greene King and Scottish & Newcastle have all got dates in their diaries to put their codes before the panel."

He added that operators with under 175 pubs will get some leeway from 30 June deadline.

Pubcos have been told to submit their codes despite the fact updated guidance on rents from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) - which must be included in the codes - has not been released.

The guidance was due in late April or early May. Brindley said he understood it won't now be ready until mid-summer.

BII chief executive Neil Robertson said: "We are making good progress, all of the larger pub operating companies have engaged with the BIIBAS process and the standard of code coming forward is encouraging.

"We look forward to meeting with more pub companies/breweries in the coming weeks."

BIIBAS plans to increase the Benchmarking Committee by appointing additional members from the industry.

For more information visit www.biibas.com​.