Pubs Advisory Service 'undermined' by lack of pubco support

A team of pub trade experts launched PAS in May, claiming it to be part of the official agreement between the Government and the industry to manage the pubco-tenant relationship.

The PAS offers potential licensees access advice and help via an online service at pubsadvisoryservice.org.uk​

However, there has been some confusion as the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) is currently working with the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) and other trade bodies to offer a similar service. This was the version agreed with the Government as part of the self-regulation agreement.

Team leader Chris Wright said: “The PAS is in a position to offer good advice from experts in the trade, but this is being undermined by reluctance from pub companies to refer or promote this service to any new tenants.

“We are, however, being used heavily by existing tenants who present us with alarming situations; more often than not we can offer no ongoing help to make their business a success because to succeed they need to maximise their profit, which under existing unregulated tied agreements is impossible. As a result, we can offer little more than a shoulder to cry on, while they negotiate an exit from the industry.”

Meanwhile, the group of pub tenants producing its own industry framework code​ have decided to hold fire from publishing until they have more detail on the Government approach to monitoring the self-regulation agreement.

The code, called the Tied Tenant Framework Code, is intended to allow licensees to present their pubco with their own version of how the two-way relationship should work. The industry has until tomorrow (23 November) to submit its evidence to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee on how the agreement is working.