Pubcos warned by secretary of state Pickles to get house in order over tenant relationships

Speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group Annual Beer Awards Dinner last night, which was attended by 90 MPs as well as members of the beer and pub trade, he issued a stark warning on the self-regulation deal made between the British Beer & Pub Association and the Government.

He said: “Make no mistake this really is about you grasping the metal. I can see there has been a lot of improvements already, the strengthened industry code, greater transparency, a new arbitration and conciliation service – all this is good work.

“But there is still quite a lot to do and now is time to make good on your promise and go further go faster. Do what you need to do to convince the doubters that things have changed. I am sure you will put your house in order because the last thing you need is the cold dead hand of Whitehall feeling your collar.”

He praised pubs for their contribution to loca communities claiming that individually each pub contributes to an estimated £80,000 to its local economy. He said he recognised it has been a tough few years for the trade but  said the Government had worked to help businesses. He highlighted the extension of small business rate relief, rural rate relief as well as the simplification of weights and measures legislation and live music regulations as examples of this. He also said the Government was tackling the cut price sales of alcohol in supermarkets by planning to introduce a minimum pricing scheme which would benefit pubs.