The Pub Governing Body has today published its annual audit of companies operating up to 499 leased and tenanted pubs and covers the period 1st August 2020– 31st July 2021.
Conducted in what has been an unprecedented year due to the Covid 19 pandemic, this is the fifth audit to take place since the new codes of practice came into effect for those companies operating 1-499 tied leased or tenanted pubs. A full list of those companies covered by each code can be found in Annex A of the report.
The audit found full compliance regarding both business plans and the number of rent reviews settled within the audit period, apart from those which had to be delayed as a result of Covid 19.
Commenting on the fifth annual audit report, Pub Governing Body Chairman Sir Peter Luff said:
“The board of the Pub Governing Body attaches great importance to this annual survey of the compliance of companies governed by our Codes. This has been a second very difficult year for all pubs – and we hope the easing of restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic will not be reversed – but we are very pleased to see that, despite these unprecedented challenges, a high level of compliance has been maintained.
“The industry can take pride in five years of sustained compliance, as the climate in which pubs operate returns to something closer to normality. However, there are two particular areas where we believe companies will need to be diligent if this record is to be continued into a sixth year – ensuring BDMs are properly trained and settling outstanding rent reviews at the earliest opportunity.
“The year has also seen changes in the structure of the industry, but we believe the work of the PGB remains a vital component in continuing confidence among tenants, commentators and politicians in the effectiveness of self-regulation of smaller pub companies.
“It remains the clear view of the board that the Pub Governing Body and its associated Codes are together proving that self-regulation is both effective and unbureaucratic. Crucially, self-regulation can respond quickly to changing circumstances and the board will remain alert to any need for changes that may be necessary as the industry continues to evolve.”
About the Pub Governing Body
The Pub Governing Body is the organisation responsible for promoting the advancement and improvement of Landlord (Pub Owning Companies) and tied tenant relationships in the licensed retail sector. It covers signatory companies that own between 1 – 499 tied pubs in England and Wales. The PGB achieves this through the publication of Codes of Practice which set the minimum standard for landlords and enhances their business relationship with tenants and lessees subject to a contractual purchasing obligation.
Visit http://www.thepubgoverningbody.co.uk/ for more information.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Pub Governing Body members are six of the industry’s leading associations representing both tenants and landlords: UKHospitality, The Licensees Association, The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA), and the Guild of Master Victuallers (GMV).
Press release from the Pub Governing Body
For any queries relating to the PGB, please contact Fiona Moran on Fiona.moran@bii.org or call 01276 417806