Levelling the playing field for tied pub tenants
New measures have come into force to give Scotland’s tied pub tenants more rights and greater protection.
From today (Monday 31 March), the Scottish Pubs Code will enable tied pub tenants to stock a wider range of beers beyond those supplied through the pub-owning business, providing more choice for customers and supporting local breweries.
Pub-owning businesses will also have to provide prospective tenants with more information on things like business costs, helping them make more informed choices.
Further elements of the Code will be introduced in June. These will include allowing tenants to request different leases that will give them greater responsibility and flexibility in the way that they run their business.
An independent Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator – Sarah Havlin – has started work overseeing the application of the Code and ruling on any disputes.
The Code has undergone extensive consultation and is intended to create a fairer operating environment between tenants and landlords, reduce costly disputes and help safeguard the future of Scotland’s tied tenanted pubs and bars.
Employment Minister Tom Arthur said: “This is a good deal for Scotland’s hospitality sector. We are rebalancing the relationship between pub tenants and pub-owning businesses, making it easier to do business and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs in the tied pub sector.
“And it is a boost for customers who could now find a much fuller array of local draught beers in their favourite pubs.
“I will continue to engage with the sector to ensure that the Code places the interests of both tenants and landlords at its heart.”
Commenting on the introduction of the new statutory Scottish Pubs Code today, Director of CAMRA Scotland Stuart McMahon said: “Pubgoers are welcoming the news that the Scottish Pubs Code is finally coming into force today, after long delays and tedious failed legal challenges by pub companies and global brewers.
“Under the Code, tied pub tenants will be able to sell guest beer free-of-tie, increasing choice at the bar for customers of tasty and distinctive products from small, local and independent breweries across the country – particularly for cask beer.
“The protections offered by the new Pubs Code for tied tenants running pubs make sure big pub companies treat them fairly and that they can earn a decent living. It should also help to make their businesses more sustainable, as well as supporting more pubs to thrive at the heart of their communities.
“We would like to thank Neil Bibby MSP who introduced the legislation to create a Scottish Pubs Code, and to the Scottish Government for giving the idea their backing.”
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