BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds comments:
“We are extremely disappointed that this report has been published in this form, and we have made this clear to the PCA who seems to have sought views from only one side.
“The report is one-sided, anecdotal, not evidence-based and lacking in transparency, nor does it include any views from the pub companies on how the legislation is working. It has been published despite an ongoing request from the PCA, for additional information from the six pub operators relating to the issues raised in this publication which is not due to be received by him, until the end of the week.
“The report ignores the fact that that the legislation was put in place to correct a perceived imbalance in the relationship between pub company and tenant. As such, the number of new MRO agreements must not be seen as the only measure of success. Indeed, evidence shows the renegotiation of tied deals is delivering exactly what the consultation and the subsequent legislation intended.
“We are determined to make the pubs code work. As with all new legislation, there are always challenges in bedding it in, including raising awareness, interpreting the rules, managing differing expectations, and dealing with unintended consequences. For this reason, we had suggested that a transitional period was necessary, but this was not secured.
“Only the Adjudicator can progress some of these issues, through taking decisions on pending cases, and publishing the guidance we all need, to move forward. In specific cases, clarification may be needed through the courts. Publications such as this are a distraction from these vital tasks.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
David Wilson, Director of Public Affairs: 020 7627 9151/ 07557 436 033
Neil Williams, Head of Media: 020 7627 9156 / 07974 249 779