Beer Tie

Product Information

His case was helped by publicity whipped up by the dispute, not to mention romantic regard for the Blue Bell, a 200-year-old pub whose interior has not changed since 1903 and where York City football club was formed. Being tied also gives tenants access to wider business support: from maintenance to financial and marketing support. Many pub companies highlight this and argue that this support is vital to many of their tenants especially those who’ve come into the industry from other professions. It accused pub companies of seeking to scupper MRO applications by any means necessary, including spooking them with eviction notices. The group also cast doubt on the independence of assessments used to set rents.

T he Competition and Markets Authority exists to promot e competition for the benefit of consumers – therefore it i s disappointing that they are seemingly disinterested in investigating something that will have potentially anti-competitive effects on the UK beer and pub market. Clarke says he helped draft the pubs code regulations but has still been unable to make them work. He and Law still do not know whether they will get their MRO or end up signing a new tied tenancy with “onerous” conditions. Even if they get their wish, they will have wasted three years of time and money.Mark Robson is founder of Red Mist Leisure, which runs five pubs in the South East of England. He moved into the pub business in 2004 initially operating tied leases via Punch Taverns, but managed to acquire them and now runs them as free houses. He gave the new amendment a cautious welcome. “I am very, very anti-beer tie so if it goes then that’s a good thing. However, usually when the government gets involved in the pub industry they make things worse rather than better. I am little bit sceptical that it will go through as the beer tie has been around for 400 years.” The ‘tie’ system refers to the structure of businesses where pub companies buy a pub and then lease it to a tenant landlord who pays rent to the pub company. The agreement also ties the tenant into buying their beer from the same parent company. Proponents of the bill argue it ends an archaic system and will make pubs more profitable. Opponents including the government argue that it will result in pub closures and job losses. Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said: "The rules adopted today will ensure that consumers can buy goods and services at the best available prices wherever they are located in the EU while leaving companies without market power essentially free to organise their sales network as they see best." The decision confirms that under EU law the tie, along with many other similar business agreements, remains a recognised and legitimate business model, which fully complies with EU competition rules.

They say the tied option does not make financial sense for them and the pub would be more profitable – as well as offering cheaper and better beer – if they were free of the tie. The new system would let tenants have their ties reviewed and where appropriate, move to a market rent with the freedom to buy their beer from other suppliers. Tenants can adjust their prices to better meet the needs of their customers and compete more effectively.Independent Family Brewers of Britain chairman Paul Wells said: "It's great news because it does validate the business model that the family brewers have been championing for a long time. While there have been some challenges with parts of the implementation of the code for all involved, the BBPA and the companies covered by the code continue to work closely with the adjudicator and other stakeholders to resolve these,” the chief executive, Brigid Simmonds, said.