Pub Partnerships

The partnered pub model gives entrepreneurial individuals the opportunity to run their own pub and benefit from the support of a pub company.

Pub companies invest millions of pounds every year into our country's much loved pubs thanks to this model and publicans operating under a tied model have protections under either the statutory Pubs Code or the industry’s voluntary codes.

How the model works

From insights on sales trends to health and safety guidance, pub companies help publicans to run thriving businesses at the heart of their communities. During times of difficulty the partnered pub model has also ensured pubs across the country are supported to keep on operating.

Statutory Pubs Code

The Statutory Code (the Pubs Code etc. Regulations 2016), which came into effect on 21 July 2016, is legally binding on those companies operating 500 or more tied pubs. The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) oversees the Code. BBPA and those member companies covered are committed to working positively with the PCA. To provide transparency on key elements of the Code, the six companies covered have agreed to publish monthly data on responses to MRO-applications from tenants and the outcomes of these. This table summarises the overall results.

See a full breakdown, inclusive of company data

About the Pubs Codes

Voluntary Pubs Code

The codes of practice for leased and tenanted pubs govern the business relationship between pub companies and publicans operating tied public houses. It is the result of constructive dialogue between those representing pub and brewing companies with tied estates and tenant and lessee representatives. There are three codes covering leased pubs, tenanted pubs, and a bespoke code for Scotland.

The Pub Governing Body, made up of representatives of pub company and tenant organisations, oversees the Voluntary Codes (found here). From January 2019 the PGB have introduced a new accreditation mark for those companies who are signed up to the Codes and who submit a satisfactory annual compliance report to the PG demonstrating continued adherence to the Code. The accreditation logo is for use by companies on promotional materials to highlight they are signed up to the Codes and to provide comfort for new and existing tenants and lessees.

PIRRS and PICA-Service

BBPA members and other companies that are signatories to the voluntary codes of practice offer dispute resolution systems to their tied tenants. Lessees and tenants covered by the code have access to the low-cost arbitration services for rents (PIRRS) and other disputes (PICA-Service), overseen by the independent Pub Governing Body (PGB).