CAMRA: tenants’ opinions on pubs code not being heard

Tenants’ thoughts have been lost in the process and the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby’s office has been reliant on using pub companies as a middle man, CAMRA said. 

The organisation’s survey​ coincides with a Government review into the code, which is set to end next month.

An inaugural statutory review of the pubs code​ was launched on 30 April to evaluate the effectiveness of the code between its introduction in 2016 and 31 March 2019.

CAMRA national chairman Nik Antona said the association was taking the initiative after hearing that tenants’ voices were not being heard.

He said: “The pubs code adjudicator has told us a number of times that his office struggles to contact tenants directly and relies on pub companies to act as a conduit. 

“This is clearly not an effective way to get the honest views of tenants, which is why we are going straight to the source to find out if the code is really working as intended.

“We’ll be submitting the survey results to the Government.”

Push for reform

Antona added he believed publicans’ feedback would bolster the organisation's stance that the code should be reformed. 

He said: “I expect the results will show what we have suspected for a long time now – that’s the pubs code needs some serious reform to make it fit for purpose and deliver for tenants.”

The survey closes on 17 July.

Small business minister Kelly Tolhurst told The Morning Advertiser​ she was committed to ensuring the Government’s review would be based on good evidence​, including “survey data, statistics and allowing all those who have an interest in the code to tell us about their experience”. 

She said: “We created the pubs code adjudicator [role] in 2016 to ensure a fair environment for pub tenants and operators.

“This review will look closely at how the pubs code regulations and the role of the adjudicator have worked since introduction and we encourage stakeholders to share with us their views on what is working well, as well as what changes might make it even more effective.”